Answers 2023 with complete solution
What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction?
adhesions
Most bowel obstructions occur in the small intestine. Adhesions are the most common
cause of small bowel obstruction, followed by hernias and neoplasms. Volvulus (twisting
of the bowel) is another cause, but is not the most common.
A patient with abdominal distention experiences reflux vomiting, which the nurse knows
can lead to which of the following acid-base disturbances?
metabolic alkalosis
Reflux vomiting results in the loss of hydrogen ions and potassium from the stomach,
leading to reduction of the serum electrolytes chloride and potassium in the blood and
causing metabolic alkalosis.
The initial symptom of abdominal pain described by the patient in which of the following
ways would lead the nurse to suspect a small bowel obstruction?
Colicky, crampy
The initial symptom is usually crampy pain that is wavelike and colicky due to persistent
peristalsis both above and below the blockage.
The nurse is aware that untreated small bowel obstruction can progress to which type of
shock?
hypovolemic
the vomiting that accompanies small bowel obstruction can lead to acute fluid losses,
which can lead to hypovolemic shock. Hypovolemia can occur from the fluid shifts
related to the edema and congestion occurring in the bowel.
The nurse anticipates that the initial treatment for small bowel obstruction will involve
which of the following?
Decompression of bowel via nasogastric tube
This is necessary for all patients with small bowel obstruction to relieve the pressure
and calm the intestine.
Potassium chloride may be administered in the patient with small bowel obstruction and
dehydration to correct hypokalemia. The nurse knows that a patient experiencing
decreased potassium levels would exhibit which of the following signs and symptoms?
hypotension, muscle weakness
s/s of hypokalemia can include hypotension, muscle weakness, fatigue, anorexia, n/v,
polyuria, decreased bowel motility and decreased BP
In the scenario, Stan Checketts was experiencing hypovolemic shock. The nurse
understands that the cause of this shock was likely which of the following?
vomiting