Prep U Ch 44 GI

A client asks the nurse why the physician ordered the blood test carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nurse answers:

"It indicates if a cancer is present."

Which of the following digestive enzymes aids in the digesting of starch?

Amylase

A nurse is caring for a client with recurrent hematemesis who is scheduled for upper gastrointestinal fibroscopy. How should the nurse in the radiology department prepare this client?

Apply local anesthetic to the back of the client's throat.

A client has come to the outpatient radiology department for diagnostic testing that will allow the care team to evaluate and remove polyps. The nurse should prepare the client for what procedure?

Colonoscopy

An adult client is scheduled for an upper GI series that will use a barium swallow. What teaching should the nurse include when the client has completed the test?

Fluids must be increased to facilitate the evacuation of the stool.

Which of the following is a function of the stomach? Select all that apply.

Food storage Secretion of digestive fluids Propels partially digested food into small intestine

A nurse is assessing the abdomen of a client just admitted to the unit with suspected GI disease. Inspection reveals several diverse lesions on the client's abdomen. How should the nurse best interpret this assessment finding?

GI diseases often produce skin changes.

While palpating a client's right upper quadrant (RUQ), the nurse would expect to find which structure?

Liver

The nurse is caring for a geriatric client and notices polypharmacy. Which diagnostic studies are anticipated?

Liver function studies

What part of the GI tract begins the digestion of food?

Mouth

Results of a client's preliminary assessment prompted an examination of the client's carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, which have come back positive. What is the nurse's most appropriate response to this finding?

Prepare to meet the client's psychosocial needs.

The nurse is answering questions regarding fecal matter for a client who is scheduled for a colon resection. The client is asking questions regarding the composition of the fecal matter and when it becomes a formed mass. The nurse is most correct to state at which location?

Sigmoid colon

A client who has been in a motor-vehicle collision is comatose and has developed ascites as a result of the accident. The nurse explains the condition to the client's family, and indicates that the primary function of the small intestine is to:

absorb nutrients

Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder characterized by pulmonary and pancreatic dysfunction, usually appears in young children but can also affect adults. If the pancreas was functioning correctly, where would the bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the GI system?

duodenum

Which term describes a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed?

intrinsic factor

A nurse is caring for clients in a stroke rehabilitation facility. Damage to what area of the brain will most affect a client's ability to swallow?

Medulla oblongata

A client with a gastrointestinal condition asks why the mouth needs to be examined. Which response will the nurse make?

"Changes in the mouth can help explain why your condition is occurring."

A client reports a new onset of diarrhea. For which additional symptoms will the nurse assess this client? Select all that apply.

Nausea Vomiting Cramping Abdominal pain

A client presents at the ambulatory clinic reporting recurrent sharp stomach pain that is relieved by eating. The nurse suspects that the client may have an ulcer. How should the nurse explain the formation and role of acid in the stomach to the client?

"Hydrochloric acid is secreted by glands in the stomach in response to the actual or anticipated presence of food."

A home care nurse is caring for a client with reports of epigastric discomfort who is scheduled for a barium swallow. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the test?

"I'll avoid eating or drinking anything 6 to 8 hours before the test."

A female client has presented to the emergency department with right upper quadrant pain; the health care provider has ordered abdominal ultrasound to rule out cholecystitis. The client expresses concern to the nurse about the safety of this diagnostic procedure. How should the nurse best respond?

"Abdominal ultrasound poses no known safety risks of any kind."

During a colonoscopy with moderate sedation, the patient groans with obvious discomfort and begins bleeding from the rectum. The patient is diaphoretic and has an increase in abdominal girth from distention. What complication of this procedure is the nurse aware may be occurring?

Bowel perforation

A client asks the nursing assistant for a bedpan. When the client is finished, the nursing assistant notifies the nurse that the client has bright red streaking of blood in the stool. The nurse's assessment should focus on what potential cause?

Hemorrhoids

A clinic client has described recent dark-colored stools, and the nurse recognizes the need for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). What aspect of the client's current health status would contraindicate FOBT?

Hemorrhoids

A client who has been experiencing changes in his bowel function is scheduled for a barium enema. What instruction should the nurse provide for post procedure recovery?

Increase fluid intake to evacuate the barium.

A client who has been experiencing changes in his bowel function is scheduled for a barium enema. What instruction should the nurse provide for postprocedure recovery?

Increase fluid intake to evacuate the barium.

A client is scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal barium study. Which teaching will the nurse provide for the client to prepare for this diagnostic test?

Ingest nothing by mouth after midnight.

A client is diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. The health care provider begins the client on cyanocobalamin (Betalin-12), 100 mcg I.M. daily. Which substance influences vitamin B12 absorption?

Intrinsic factor

An advanced practice nurse is assessing the size and density of a client's abdominal organs. If the results of palpation are unclear to the nurse, what assessment technique should be implemented?

Percussion

When bowel sounds are heard about every 15 seconds, the nurse would record that the bowel sounds are

normal

A client has been brought to the emergency department with abdominal pain and is subsequently diagnosed with appendicitis. The client is scheduled for an appendectomy but questions the nurse about how a person's health is affected by the absence of the appendix. How should the nurse best respond?

"Your appendix doesn't play a major role in health, so you won't notice any difference after your recovery from surgery."

An older client reports difficulty chewing and swallowing. Which age-related changes will the nurse suspect as the reasons for the client's symptoms? Select all that apply.

Loss of teeth Weakened gag reflex Atrophy of taste buds Reduced saliva production Less ptyalin and amylase in saliva

A client undergoing a diagnostic examination for gastrointestinal disorder was given polyethylene glycol/electrolyte solution as a part of the test preparation. Which of the following measures should the nurse take once the solution is administered?

Permit the client to drink only clear liquids.

The nurse is preparing to perform a client's abdominal assessment. What examination sequence should the nurse follow?

: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation

The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should assist the client into what position during this diagnostic test?

Lying on the left side with legs drawn toward the chest

Which enzyme aids in the digestion of protein?

trypsin