Chapter 37: Digestive System Introduction
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The TPN feeding is running at 20 mL and is 1 hour behind schedule: What is the most
appropriate initial nursing intervention?
a. Increase the flow rate to 22 mL/hr. (10%) and inform the charge nurse:
b. Reposition the patient to the right side and lower the head of the bed:
c. Dilute the thick feeding formula with 10 mL of sterile water and inform the charge
nurse:
d. Document the event and inform the charge nurse:
ANS: D
Increasing the speed of giving TPN feedings is never a consideration because doing
so will cause hyperglycemia: the event should be documented and the charge nurse
informed:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 710 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: TPN KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
2. What is the most current endoscopic procedure for examining the small intestine?
a. Capsule camera
b. Fiberoptic light probe
c. Rigid lighted tubes
d. Flat plate
ANS: A
The capsule camera is swallowed and transmits information about the small bowel to
a receiver on a belt around the patient’s waist:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 700 OBJ: 1
TOP: Endoscopy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. A nurse has collected several stool specimens for ova and parasites that are to be sent to
the laboratory: What action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
a. Immediately take the specimens to the laboratory to be tested for parasites and
ova:
b. Take the specimens to the laboratory to be tested for culture and sensitivity and
leave them for later pickup:
c. Take the specimens to the refrigerator to be tested later for parasites and ova:
d. Leave the specimens in a warm place until convenient time to deliver to the
laboratory:
ANS: A
Parasite and ova specimens should be immediately taken to the laboratory while the
parasites are still alive: Specimens for evaluating pathogenic organisms should be
kept cool:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 706 OBJ: 1
TOP: Care of Stool Specimens KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. Stool softeners are prescribed to promote normal elimination of feces: What is the most
appropriate way to ensure effectiveness of this type of drug?
a. Mouth care
b. Ambulation
c. Adequate fluid intake
d. High-fiber diet
ANS: C
Adequate fluids must be maintained to ensure the liquid is available; otherwise, the
fecal mass will remain hard:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 713 OBJ: 3
TOP: Constipation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The TPN feeding is running at 20 mL and is 1 hour behind schedule: What is the most
appropriate initial nursing intervention?
a. Increase the flow rate to 22 mL/hr. (10%) and inform the charge nurse:
b. Reposition the patient to the right side and lower the head of the bed:
c. Dilute the thick feeding formula with 10 mL of sterile water and inform the charge
nurse:
d. Document the event and inform the charge nurse:
ANS: D
Increasing the speed of giving TPN feedings is never a consideration because doing
so will cause hyperglycemia: the event should be documented and the charge nurse
informed:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 710 OBJ: 3 | 4
TOP: TPN KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
2. What is the most current endoscopic procedure for examining the small intestine?
a. Capsule camera
b. Fiberoptic light probe
c. Rigid lighted tubes
d. Flat plate
ANS: A
The capsule camera is swallowed and transmits information about the small bowel to
a receiver on a belt around the patient’s waist:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 700 OBJ: 1
TOP: Endoscopy KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. A nurse has collected several stool specimens for ova and parasites that are to be sent to
the laboratory: What action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?
a. Immediately take the specimens to the laboratory to be tested for parasites and
ova:
b. Take the specimens to the laboratory to be tested for culture and sensitivity and
leave them for later pickup:
c. Take the specimens to the refrigerator to be tested later for parasites and ova:
d. Leave the specimens in a warm place until convenient time to deliver to the
laboratory:
ANS: A
Parasite and ova specimens should be immediately taken to the laboratory while the
parasites are still alive: Specimens for evaluating pathogenic organisms should be
kept cool:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p: 706 OBJ: 1
TOP: Care of Stool Specimens KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. Stool softeners are prescribed to promote normal elimination of feces: What is the most
appropriate way to ensure effectiveness of this type of drug?
a. Mouth care
b. Ambulation
c. Adequate fluid intake
d. High-fiber diet
ANS: C
Adequate fluids must be maintained to ensure the liquid is available; otherwise, the
fecal mass will remain hard:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 713 OBJ: 3
TOP: Constipation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
