GI medications HESI Questions With All Correct
Answers
A client with Crohn's disease is scheduled to receive an infusion of infliximab
(Remicade). What intervention by the nurse will determine the effectiveness
of treatment?
a) Monitoring the leukocyte count for 2 days after the infusion
b) Checking the frequency and consistency of bowel movements
c) Checking serum liver enzyme levels before and after the infusion
d) Carrying out a Hematest on gastric fluids after the infusion is completed
correct answer -b) Checking the frequency and consistency of bowel
movements
Rationale: The principal manifestations of Crohn's disease are diarrhea and
abdominal pain. Infliximab (Remicade) is an immunomodulator that reduces
the degree of inflammation in the colon, thereby reducing the diarrhea.
A client has a PRN prescription for loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium). For
which condition should the nurse administer this medication?
a) Constipation
b) Abdominal pain
c) An episode of diarrhea
d) Hematest-positive nasogastric tube drainage correct answer -c) An
episode of diarrhea
Rationale: Loperamide is an antidiarrheal agent. It is used to manage acute
and chronic diarrhea in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Loperamide also can be used to reduce the volume of drainage from an
ileostomy.
A client has a PRN prescription for ondansetron (Zofran). For which condition
should the nurse administer this medication to the postoperative client?
a) Paralytic ileus
b) Incisional pain
c) Urinary retention
,d) Nausea and vomiting correct answer -d) Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Ondansetron is an antiemetic used to treat postoperative nausea
and vomiting, as well as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase (Pancrease MT). The
nurse evaluates that the medication is having the optimal intended benefit if
which effect is observed?
a) Weight loss
b) Relief of heartburn
c) Reduction of steatorrhea
d) Absence of abdominal pain correct answer -c) Reduction of steatorrhea
Rationale: Pancrelipase (Pancrease, Creon) is a pancreatic enzyme used in
clients with pancreatitis as a digestive aid. The medication should reduce the
amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another intended effect could be
improved nutritional status. It is not used to treat abdominal pain or
heartburn. Its use could result in weight gain but should not result in weight
loss if it is aiding in digestion.
An older client recently has been taking cimetidine (Tagamet). The nurse
monitors the client for which most frequent central nervous system side effect
of this medication?
a) Tremors
b) Dizziness
c) Confusion
d) Hallucinations correct answer -c) Confusion
Rationale: Cimetidine is a histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist. Older clients
are especially susceptible to central nervous system side effects of cimetidine.
The most frequent of these is confusion. Less common central nervous system
side effects include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and hallucinations.
A client with a gastric ulcer has a prescription for sucralfate (Carafate), 1 g by
mouth four times daily. The nurse should schedule the medication for which
times?
, a) With meals and at bedtime
b) Every 6 hours around the clock
c) One hour after meals and at bedtime
d) One hour before meals and at bedtime correct answer -d) One hour
before meals and at bedtime
Rationale: Sucralfate is a gastric protectant. The medication should be
scheduled for administration 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. The
medication is timed to allow it to form a protective coating over the ulcer
before food intake stimulates gastric acid production and mechanical
irritation.
A client who chronically uses nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
has been taking misoprostol (Cytotec). The nurse determines that the
medication is having the intended therapeutic effect if which finding is noted?
a) Resolved diarrhea
b) Relief of epigastric pain
c) Decreased platelet count
d) Decreased white blood cell count correct answer -b) Relief of epigastric
pain
Rationale: The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) is prone to gastric mucosal injury. Misoprostol is a gastric
protectant and is given specifically to prevent this occurrence. Diarrhea can be
a side effect of the medication but is not an intended effect.
A client has been taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for 4 weeks. The ambulatory
care nurse evaluates that the client is receiving the optimal intended effect of
the medication if the client reports the absence of which symptom?
a) Diarrhea
b) Heartburn
c) Flatulence
d) Constipation correct answer -b) Heartburn
Answers
A client with Crohn's disease is scheduled to receive an infusion of infliximab
(Remicade). What intervention by the nurse will determine the effectiveness
of treatment?
a) Monitoring the leukocyte count for 2 days after the infusion
b) Checking the frequency and consistency of bowel movements
c) Checking serum liver enzyme levels before and after the infusion
d) Carrying out a Hematest on gastric fluids after the infusion is completed
correct answer -b) Checking the frequency and consistency of bowel
movements
Rationale: The principal manifestations of Crohn's disease are diarrhea and
abdominal pain. Infliximab (Remicade) is an immunomodulator that reduces
the degree of inflammation in the colon, thereby reducing the diarrhea.
A client has a PRN prescription for loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium). For
which condition should the nurse administer this medication?
a) Constipation
b) Abdominal pain
c) An episode of diarrhea
d) Hematest-positive nasogastric tube drainage correct answer -c) An
episode of diarrhea
Rationale: Loperamide is an antidiarrheal agent. It is used to manage acute
and chronic diarrhea in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Loperamide also can be used to reduce the volume of drainage from an
ileostomy.
A client has a PRN prescription for ondansetron (Zofran). For which condition
should the nurse administer this medication to the postoperative client?
a) Paralytic ileus
b) Incisional pain
c) Urinary retention
,d) Nausea and vomiting correct answer -d) Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Ondansetron is an antiemetic used to treat postoperative nausea
and vomiting, as well as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase (Pancrease MT). The
nurse evaluates that the medication is having the optimal intended benefit if
which effect is observed?
a) Weight loss
b) Relief of heartburn
c) Reduction of steatorrhea
d) Absence of abdominal pain correct answer -c) Reduction of steatorrhea
Rationale: Pancrelipase (Pancrease, Creon) is a pancreatic enzyme used in
clients with pancreatitis as a digestive aid. The medication should reduce the
amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another intended effect could be
improved nutritional status. It is not used to treat abdominal pain or
heartburn. Its use could result in weight gain but should not result in weight
loss if it is aiding in digestion.
An older client recently has been taking cimetidine (Tagamet). The nurse
monitors the client for which most frequent central nervous system side effect
of this medication?
a) Tremors
b) Dizziness
c) Confusion
d) Hallucinations correct answer -c) Confusion
Rationale: Cimetidine is a histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist. Older clients
are especially susceptible to central nervous system side effects of cimetidine.
The most frequent of these is confusion. Less common central nervous system
side effects include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and hallucinations.
A client with a gastric ulcer has a prescription for sucralfate (Carafate), 1 g by
mouth four times daily. The nurse should schedule the medication for which
times?
, a) With meals and at bedtime
b) Every 6 hours around the clock
c) One hour after meals and at bedtime
d) One hour before meals and at bedtime correct answer -d) One hour
before meals and at bedtime
Rationale: Sucralfate is a gastric protectant. The medication should be
scheduled for administration 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. The
medication is timed to allow it to form a protective coating over the ulcer
before food intake stimulates gastric acid production and mechanical
irritation.
A client who chronically uses nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
has been taking misoprostol (Cytotec). The nurse determines that the
medication is having the intended therapeutic effect if which finding is noted?
a) Resolved diarrhea
b) Relief of epigastric pain
c) Decreased platelet count
d) Decreased white blood cell count correct answer -b) Relief of epigastric
pain
Rationale: The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) is prone to gastric mucosal injury. Misoprostol is a gastric
protectant and is given specifically to prevent this occurrence. Diarrhea can be
a side effect of the medication but is not an intended effect.
A client has been taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for 4 weeks. The ambulatory
care nurse evaluates that the client is receiving the optimal intended effect of
the medication if the client reports the absence of which symptom?
a) Diarrhea
b) Heartburn
c) Flatulence
d) Constipation correct answer -b) Heartburn
