Med-Surg: GI System questions and answers
2021/2022
A client with jaundice associated with hepatitis expresses concern over the change in skin color.
Which does the nurse explain is the cause of this color change?
Stimulation of the liver to produce an excess quantity of bile pigments
Inability of the liver to remove normal amounts of bilirubin from the blood
Increased destruction of red blood cells during the acute phase of the disease
Decreased prothrombin levels, leading to multiple sites of intradermal bleeding
Answers: 2. Inability of the liver to remove normal amounts of bilirubin from the blood
On the third postoperative day after a subtotal gastrectomy, a client reports severe abdominal
pain. The nurse palpates the client's abdomen and determines rigidity. Which action would the
nurse perform first?
Assist the client to ambulate.
Obtain the client's vital signs.
Administer the prescribed analgesic.
Encourage use of the incentive spirometer.
Answers: 2. Obtain the client's vital signs.
When admitting an older client, the stool specimen confirmed a diagnosis of a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The nurse inquires about potentially assigning Room
2010, Bed B, the same isolation room as another client (2010, Bed A) who has MRSA. Which
response would the nurse receive?
"The other client's infection is not contagious."
"This is the usual practice when antibiotic therapy is started."
"Placing clients with the same infection in 1 room is safe."
"As soon as a private room becomes available, we will move the client."
Answers: 3. "Placing clients with the same infection in 1 room is safe."
A client who previously resided in a foreign country has a chronic vitamin A deficiency. Which
information about vitamin A would the nurse consider when assessing the client?
Vitamin A is an integral part of the retina's pigment called melanin.
It is a component of the rods and cones, which control color visualization.
Vitamin A is the material in the cornea that prevents the formation of cataracts.
It is a necessary element of rhodopsin, which controls responses to light and dark environments.
Answers: 4. It is a necessary element of rhodopsin, which controls responses to light and dark
environments.
, The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client to allow continuous suction.
Which tube would the nurse select?
Levin
Dobhoff
Salem sump
Gastrostomy
Answers: 3. Salem sump
A client had a colon resection and formation of a colostomy 2 days ago. Which color indicates to
the nurse that the stoma is viable?
Blue
Gray
Brick red
Dark purple
Answers: 3. Brick red
A client with hepatic cirrhosis begins to exhibit slurred speech, confusion, drowsiness, and a
flapping tremor. Based upon this assessment, which prescribed diet would the nurse anticipate?
No protein
Moderate protein
High protein
Strict protein restriction
Answers: 2. Moderate protein
The nurse is caring for a client with a bowel obstruction. Which assessment findings indicate the
possible onset of peritonitis? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Diarrhea
Bradycardia
Rebound tenderness
Diminished bowel sounds
Rigid, boardlike abdomen
Answers: 3. Rebound tenderness
Diminished bowel sounds
Rigid, boardlike abdomen
Which rationale explains why the nurse also monitors a client with a history of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) for clinical manifestations of heart disease?
Esophageal pain may imitate the symptoms of a heart attack.
GERD may predispose the client to the development of heart disease.
Strenuous exercise may exacerbate reflux problems.
Similar laboratory study changes may occur in both problems.
2021/2022
A client with jaundice associated with hepatitis expresses concern over the change in skin color.
Which does the nurse explain is the cause of this color change?
Stimulation of the liver to produce an excess quantity of bile pigments
Inability of the liver to remove normal amounts of bilirubin from the blood
Increased destruction of red blood cells during the acute phase of the disease
Decreased prothrombin levels, leading to multiple sites of intradermal bleeding
Answers: 2. Inability of the liver to remove normal amounts of bilirubin from the blood
On the third postoperative day after a subtotal gastrectomy, a client reports severe abdominal
pain. The nurse palpates the client's abdomen and determines rigidity. Which action would the
nurse perform first?
Assist the client to ambulate.
Obtain the client's vital signs.
Administer the prescribed analgesic.
Encourage use of the incentive spirometer.
Answers: 2. Obtain the client's vital signs.
When admitting an older client, the stool specimen confirmed a diagnosis of a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The nurse inquires about potentially assigning Room
2010, Bed B, the same isolation room as another client (2010, Bed A) who has MRSA. Which
response would the nurse receive?
"The other client's infection is not contagious."
"This is the usual practice when antibiotic therapy is started."
"Placing clients with the same infection in 1 room is safe."
"As soon as a private room becomes available, we will move the client."
Answers: 3. "Placing clients with the same infection in 1 room is safe."
A client who previously resided in a foreign country has a chronic vitamin A deficiency. Which
information about vitamin A would the nurse consider when assessing the client?
Vitamin A is an integral part of the retina's pigment called melanin.
It is a component of the rods and cones, which control color visualization.
Vitamin A is the material in the cornea that prevents the formation of cataracts.
It is a necessary element of rhodopsin, which controls responses to light and dark environments.
Answers: 4. It is a necessary element of rhodopsin, which controls responses to light and dark
environments.
, The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client to allow continuous suction.
Which tube would the nurse select?
Levin
Dobhoff
Salem sump
Gastrostomy
Answers: 3. Salem sump
A client had a colon resection and formation of a colostomy 2 days ago. Which color indicates to
the nurse that the stoma is viable?
Blue
Gray
Brick red
Dark purple
Answers: 3. Brick red
A client with hepatic cirrhosis begins to exhibit slurred speech, confusion, drowsiness, and a
flapping tremor. Based upon this assessment, which prescribed diet would the nurse anticipate?
No protein
Moderate protein
High protein
Strict protein restriction
Answers: 2. Moderate protein
The nurse is caring for a client with a bowel obstruction. Which assessment findings indicate the
possible onset of peritonitis? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may be correct.
Diarrhea
Bradycardia
Rebound tenderness
Diminished bowel sounds
Rigid, boardlike abdomen
Answers: 3. Rebound tenderness
Diminished bowel sounds
Rigid, boardlike abdomen
Which rationale explains why the nurse also monitors a client with a history of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) for clinical manifestations of heart disease?
Esophageal pain may imitate the symptoms of a heart attack.
GERD may predispose the client to the development of heart disease.
Strenuous exercise may exacerbate reflux problems.
Similar laboratory study changes may occur in both problems.
