Chapter 39: Lower Digestive Tract Disorders
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse provides education to a patient after a hemorrhoidectomy: Which statement by
the patient demonstrates the need for further instruction?
a. “Sitz baths are ordered to soothe the area:”
b. “Imagery may help control pain:”
c. “Bleeding should be reported:”
d. “Fluids are restricted:”
ANS: D
After hemorrhoidectomy, the patient should be encouraged to ingest a high-fiber diet
and drink plenty of fluids to promote regular, soft stools:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 762 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Hemorrhoidectomy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
2. A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with diverticulosis and assesses a temperature of
102:4 F and abdominal rigidity: What should the nurse be aware is the most likely cause
of these signs and symptoms?
a. Infection
b. Constipation
c. Perforation
d. Obstruction
ANS: C
The nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with diverticulosis should be alert for signs
of perforation including fever, abdominal distention, and rigidity:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Diverticulosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. A patient is diagnosed with cancer of the large intestine: What is the most likely initial
recommended medical intervention?
a. Repeat colonoscopy
b. Surgery
c. Radiation therapy
d. Chemotherapy
ANS: B
Colorectal cancers are usually initially treated surgically:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Colorectal Cancer KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
4. A nurse is performing an assessment of a patient after an abdominoperineal resection:
How many incision sites will be present?
a. Two
b. Three
c. Four
d. Five
ANS: B
After an abdominoperineal resection, the patient will have three incisions: one on the
abdomen, a second for the colostomy, and a third on the perineum:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Abdominoperineal resection KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A patient reports severe pain after an abdominoperineal resection: What position should
the nurse assist this patient into in order to promote comfort?
a. Side-lying
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse provides education to a patient after a hemorrhoidectomy: Which statement by
the patient demonstrates the need for further instruction?
a. “Sitz baths are ordered to soothe the area:”
b. “Imagery may help control pain:”
c. “Bleeding should be reported:”
d. “Fluids are restricted:”
ANS: D
After hemorrhoidectomy, the patient should be encouraged to ingest a high-fiber diet
and drink plenty of fluids to promote regular, soft stools:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 762 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Hemorrhoidectomy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
2. A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with diverticulosis and assesses a temperature of
102:4 F and abdominal rigidity: What should the nurse be aware is the most likely cause
of these signs and symptoms?
a. Infection
b. Constipation
c. Perforation
d. Obstruction
ANS: C
The nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with diverticulosis should be alert for signs
of perforation including fever, abdominal distention, and rigidity:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Diverticulosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. A patient is diagnosed with cancer of the large intestine: What is the most likely initial
recommended medical intervention?
a. Repeat colonoscopy
b. Surgery
c. Radiation therapy
d. Chemotherapy
ANS: B
Colorectal cancers are usually initially treated surgically:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Colorectal Cancer KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
4. A nurse is performing an assessment of a patient after an abdominoperineal resection:
How many incision sites will be present?
a. Two
b. Three
c. Four
d. Five
ANS: B
After an abdominoperineal resection, the patient will have three incisions: one on the
abdomen, a second for the colostomy, and a third on the perineum:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 759 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: Abdominoperineal resection KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A patient reports severe pain after an abdominoperineal resection: What position should
the nurse assist this patient into in order to promote comfort?
a. Side-lying
