RN Alterations in Digestion and Bowel Elimination
Assessment Questions And Answers (Verified And
Updated)
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
- "Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause 'flare-ups' of your GI issues."
- "You should be able to easily tolerate dairy products"
- "Caffeine and carbonated beverages should not cause any issues with your disorder."
- "A high-residue diet can help alleviate episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea."
Correct Answer: "Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause 'flare-ups' of your GI issues."
Rationale: The client should keep a food diary and monitor the foods that can cause "flare-ups" of
uncomfortable manifestations such as diarrhea, bloating, cramping, constipation, nausea, or vomiting.
A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are experiencing abdominal pain. The nurse would identify
that which of the following clients is at risk for developing cholecystitis?
- 58-year-old female who has osteoarthritis
- 25-year-old male who has type 1 diabetes
- 31-year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
- 46-year-old male who eats a high-fiber diet
Correct Answer: 31-year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
Rationale: Individuals who are assigned female at birth, are younger than 50 years old, and take oral
contraceptives are more likely to develop cholecystitis.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease. The client is crying and
states, "I might as well keep drinking because I'm going to die now anyway." Which of the following is
the best response by the nurse?
- "If you stop drinking alcohol now you can reduce the progression of further liver damage."
- "I'm sorry you are feeling this way. There is always a possibility of a liver transplant."
- "There are a lot of people with liver disease that have it much worse than you."
- "Have you ever heard chelation therapy? Maybe you should look into other alternatives."
Correct Answer: "If you stop drinking alcohol now you can reduce the progression of further liver
damage."
Rationale: Abstaining from alcohol can assist in reducing the progression of further liver damage.
A nurse is assisting feeding a client who has dementia, and the client begins to cough after swallowing
milk. Which of the following statements should the nurse to make to the client's visiting family?
- "Don't worry. Your mother's lower esophageal sphincter will close to prevent aspiration."
- "I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our food pipe called the
upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the airways."
- "It's okay. Your mother's palatine tonsils keep the milk from entering the windpipe so that she won't
aspirate."
- "There's no need to be concerned because our diaphragm works by not allowing liquids to enter the
lungs."
Correct Answer: "I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our food
pipe called the upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the airways."
, Rationale: The upper esophageal sphincter closes to prevent food or liquids from entering the airways
when it is triggered by swallowing these substances.
A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I think I might have the beginnings of oral cancer." Which of
the following manifestations can be indicative of oral cancer?
- Serous-filled blister in the oral cavity or on the lips
- A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
- White cottage cheese appearance in the mouth
- Strawberry appearance of the tongue
Correct Answer: A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
Rationale: A white or reddish patch on the inside of the mouth can be an indication of oral cancer.
A nurse is speaking with a client who called the community health information call center desk. The
client states that they have been having a fever with severe epigastric pain that radiates to the right
shoulder, mainly after eating, for the past 2 days now. Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
- "Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected gallbladder, and if left
untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis."
- "Have you tried acetaminophen and an antacid medication first?"
- "Try to not eat for the rest of the day, and if this continues into tomorrow morning, then you should
see your doctor."
- "Why don't you call your doctor's office to find out if you can be see?"
Correct Answer: "Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected
gallbladder, and if left untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis."
Rationale: An untreated gallbladder infection can cause complications such as gangrenous
cholecystitis or gallbladder perforation that can lead to potential abscess formation or sepsis.
A nurse is caring for a 22-year-old client who has a diagnosis of GERD. The client states, "I thought I
was too young to get this condition." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
- "I'm sure the diagnosis is accurate. You should follow the recommendations provided."
- "Well, it could have been a lot worse. You're lucky it wasn't anything bad."
- "Researchers are see GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is related to the types of
food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle."
- "This is very unusual at your age. Did your parent ever tell you that you had problems with spitting
up as a baby?"
Correct Answer: "Researchers are see GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is related to
the types of food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle."
Rationale: Researchers have noticed an increase in the proportion of adults younger than 50 years of
age experiencing GERD over the last decade. It is surmised that the increase in GERD among the
younger population over the last decade might be related tot he types of food and drink that are
being consumed, as well as smoking, increased prevalence of obesity, and decreased physical activity.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been taking NSAIDs for chronic pain related to
osteoarthritis. The nurse should identify that long-term use of NSAIDs places the client at risk for
which of the following?
- Type 2 diabetes
- GI bleeding
Assessment Questions And Answers (Verified And
Updated)
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
- "Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause 'flare-ups' of your GI issues."
- "You should be able to easily tolerate dairy products"
- "Caffeine and carbonated beverages should not cause any issues with your disorder."
- "A high-residue diet can help alleviate episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea."
Correct Answer: "Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause 'flare-ups' of your GI issues."
Rationale: The client should keep a food diary and monitor the foods that can cause "flare-ups" of
uncomfortable manifestations such as diarrhea, bloating, cramping, constipation, nausea, or vomiting.
A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are experiencing abdominal pain. The nurse would identify
that which of the following clients is at risk for developing cholecystitis?
- 58-year-old female who has osteoarthritis
- 25-year-old male who has type 1 diabetes
- 31-year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
- 46-year-old male who eats a high-fiber diet
Correct Answer: 31-year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
Rationale: Individuals who are assigned female at birth, are younger than 50 years old, and take oral
contraceptives are more likely to develop cholecystitis.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease. The client is crying and
states, "I might as well keep drinking because I'm going to die now anyway." Which of the following is
the best response by the nurse?
- "If you stop drinking alcohol now you can reduce the progression of further liver damage."
- "I'm sorry you are feeling this way. There is always a possibility of a liver transplant."
- "There are a lot of people with liver disease that have it much worse than you."
- "Have you ever heard chelation therapy? Maybe you should look into other alternatives."
Correct Answer: "If you stop drinking alcohol now you can reduce the progression of further liver
damage."
Rationale: Abstaining from alcohol can assist in reducing the progression of further liver damage.
A nurse is assisting feeding a client who has dementia, and the client begins to cough after swallowing
milk. Which of the following statements should the nurse to make to the client's visiting family?
- "Don't worry. Your mother's lower esophageal sphincter will close to prevent aspiration."
- "I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our food pipe called the
upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the airways."
- "It's okay. Your mother's palatine tonsils keep the milk from entering the windpipe so that she won't
aspirate."
- "There's no need to be concerned because our diaphragm works by not allowing liquids to enter the
lungs."
Correct Answer: "I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our food
pipe called the upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the airways."
, Rationale: The upper esophageal sphincter closes to prevent food or liquids from entering the airways
when it is triggered by swallowing these substances.
A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I think I might have the beginnings of oral cancer." Which of
the following manifestations can be indicative of oral cancer?
- Serous-filled blister in the oral cavity or on the lips
- A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
- White cottage cheese appearance in the mouth
- Strawberry appearance of the tongue
Correct Answer: A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
Rationale: A white or reddish patch on the inside of the mouth can be an indication of oral cancer.
A nurse is speaking with a client who called the community health information call center desk. The
client states that they have been having a fever with severe epigastric pain that radiates to the right
shoulder, mainly after eating, for the past 2 days now. Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
- "Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected gallbladder, and if left
untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis."
- "Have you tried acetaminophen and an antacid medication first?"
- "Try to not eat for the rest of the day, and if this continues into tomorrow morning, then you should
see your doctor."
- "Why don't you call your doctor's office to find out if you can be see?"
Correct Answer: "Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected
gallbladder, and if left untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis."
Rationale: An untreated gallbladder infection can cause complications such as gangrenous
cholecystitis or gallbladder perforation that can lead to potential abscess formation or sepsis.
A nurse is caring for a 22-year-old client who has a diagnosis of GERD. The client states, "I thought I
was too young to get this condition." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
- "I'm sure the diagnosis is accurate. You should follow the recommendations provided."
- "Well, it could have been a lot worse. You're lucky it wasn't anything bad."
- "Researchers are see GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is related to the types of
food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle."
- "This is very unusual at your age. Did your parent ever tell you that you had problems with spitting
up as a baby?"
Correct Answer: "Researchers are see GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is related to
the types of food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle."
Rationale: Researchers have noticed an increase in the proportion of adults younger than 50 years of
age experiencing GERD over the last decade. It is surmised that the increase in GERD among the
younger population over the last decade might be related tot he types of food and drink that are
being consumed, as well as smoking, increased prevalence of obesity, and decreased physical activity.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been taking NSAIDs for chronic pain related to
osteoarthritis. The nurse should identify that long-term use of NSAIDs places the client at risk for
which of the following?
- Type 2 diabetes
- GI bleeding
