Sherpath Chapter 40- Bowel Elimination
Exam Questions With Verified Answers
Which question would the nurse ask first to obtain information about the patient's bowel habits?
"Where is your abdominal pain?"
"Do you have any bloating or gas?"
"How many bowel movements do you have a day?"
"What medications do you take on a regular basis?"
"How many bowel movements do you have a day?"
The first question the nurse would ask is, "How many bowel movements do you have a day?" to
determine that patient's "normal."
Which assessment technique for the abdomen is performed last to avoid a false finding?
Palpation
Inspection
Auscultation
Patient interview
Palpation
Palpation is performed last because it can alter peristaltic activity, which can result in false
measurement of bowel sounds when auscultating the abdomen.
Which assessment findings indicate the patient has hyperactive bowel sounds?
Select all that apply.
Tinkling sound
Rushing sound
Fewer than five sounds per minute
Sounds occur every 5 to 15 seconds
High-pitched sound
Soft gurgling sound
Tinkling sound
Tinkling is indicative of hyperactive bowel sounds.
Rushing sound
A rushing sound is indicative of hyperactive bowel sounds.
High-pitched sound
High-pitched sounds are characteristic of hyperactive bowel sounds.
The patient's stool culture will help detect which finding?
Cancer
Intestinal polyps
Abnormal bacteria
Small amounts of blood
NOT SURE
Abnormal bacteria
A stool culture can help detect abnormal bacteria. The presence of abnormal microorganisms in the
stool indicates intestinal infection
, Match the diagnostic test with the correct description.
Radiographic exam; is also known as a barium swallow
Radiographic exam; visualizes the colon and rectum
Endoscopic exam; visualizes the upper gastrointestinal tract
Endoscopic exam; inserts a scope with camera into the anus
Barium enema
Upper GI series
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Guaiac test
Colonoscopy
Radiographic exam; is also known as a barium swallowUpper GI series
Radiographic exam; visualizes the colon and rectumBarium enema
Endoscopic exam; visualizes the upper gastrointestinal tractEsophagogastroduodenoscopy
Endoscopic exam; inserts a scope with camera into the anusColonoscopy
Which cue is irrelevant for a patient with constipation?
Expels hard, pebble-like stools
Does not like to exercise
Has an abnormal serum creatinine level
Eats low-fiber foods
Has an abnormal serum creatinine level
Having an abnormal serum creatinine level is an irrelevant cue for constipation; it is not a factor or
contributing factor to the patient's constipation.
Which cues would the nurse expect to observe in a patient suffering from diarrhea?
Select all that apply.
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Excessive straining to pass stool
Abdominal pain
Continuous leaking of liquid stool
Urgency
Hemorrhoids noted in medical history
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Hyperactive bowel sounds are cues when the patient has diarrhea.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common cue for diarrhea.
Urgency
Urgency is a cue associated with diarrhea.
Which relevant cues would the nurse share with the health care provider when consulting about a
patient who has developed constipation?
Select all that apply.
Exam Questions With Verified Answers
Which question would the nurse ask first to obtain information about the patient's bowel habits?
"Where is your abdominal pain?"
"Do you have any bloating or gas?"
"How many bowel movements do you have a day?"
"What medications do you take on a regular basis?"
"How many bowel movements do you have a day?"
The first question the nurse would ask is, "How many bowel movements do you have a day?" to
determine that patient's "normal."
Which assessment technique for the abdomen is performed last to avoid a false finding?
Palpation
Inspection
Auscultation
Patient interview
Palpation
Palpation is performed last because it can alter peristaltic activity, which can result in false
measurement of bowel sounds when auscultating the abdomen.
Which assessment findings indicate the patient has hyperactive bowel sounds?
Select all that apply.
Tinkling sound
Rushing sound
Fewer than five sounds per minute
Sounds occur every 5 to 15 seconds
High-pitched sound
Soft gurgling sound
Tinkling sound
Tinkling is indicative of hyperactive bowel sounds.
Rushing sound
A rushing sound is indicative of hyperactive bowel sounds.
High-pitched sound
High-pitched sounds are characteristic of hyperactive bowel sounds.
The patient's stool culture will help detect which finding?
Cancer
Intestinal polyps
Abnormal bacteria
Small amounts of blood
NOT SURE
Abnormal bacteria
A stool culture can help detect abnormal bacteria. The presence of abnormal microorganisms in the
stool indicates intestinal infection
, Match the diagnostic test with the correct description.
Radiographic exam; is also known as a barium swallow
Radiographic exam; visualizes the colon and rectum
Endoscopic exam; visualizes the upper gastrointestinal tract
Endoscopic exam; inserts a scope with camera into the anus
Barium enema
Upper GI series
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Guaiac test
Colonoscopy
Radiographic exam; is also known as a barium swallowUpper GI series
Radiographic exam; visualizes the colon and rectumBarium enema
Endoscopic exam; visualizes the upper gastrointestinal tractEsophagogastroduodenoscopy
Endoscopic exam; inserts a scope with camera into the anusColonoscopy
Which cue is irrelevant for a patient with constipation?
Expels hard, pebble-like stools
Does not like to exercise
Has an abnormal serum creatinine level
Eats low-fiber foods
Has an abnormal serum creatinine level
Having an abnormal serum creatinine level is an irrelevant cue for constipation; it is not a factor or
contributing factor to the patient's constipation.
Which cues would the nurse expect to observe in a patient suffering from diarrhea?
Select all that apply.
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Excessive straining to pass stool
Abdominal pain
Continuous leaking of liquid stool
Urgency
Hemorrhoids noted in medical history
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Hyperactive bowel sounds are cues when the patient has diarrhea.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is a common cue for diarrhea.
Urgency
Urgency is a cue associated with diarrhea.
Which relevant cues would the nurse share with the health care provider when consulting about a
patient who has developed constipation?
Select all that apply.
