Med Surg Gastrointestinal NCLEX

Med Surg Gastrointestinal NCLEX Questions and Answers (2022/2023)

The nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis who is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment, the nurse notes that the abdomen is distended and bowel sounds are diminished. Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• Notify the health care provider (HCP).
• Administer the prescribed pain medication.
• Call and ask the operating room team to perform surgery as soon as possible.
• Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on the warm setting to the client's abdomen.

✔✔A. Notify the health care provider (HCP).

Rationale:

On the basis of the signs and symptoms presented in the question, the nurse should suspect peritonitis and notify the HCP. Administering pain medication is not an appropriate intervention.Heat should never be applied to the abdomen of a client with suspected appendicitis because of the risk of rupture. Scheduling surgical time is not within the scope of nursing practice, although the HCP probably would perform the surgery earlier than the prescheduled time.

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A client has just had a hemorrhoidectomy. Which nursing interventions are appropriate for this client? Select all that apply.

• Administer stool softeners as prescribed.
• Instruct the client to limit fluid intake to avoid urinary retention.
• Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
• Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing until the packing is removed.
• Help the client to a Fowler's position to place pressure on the rectal area and decrease

bleeding. ✔✔A. Administer stool softeners as prescribed.

• Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
• Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing until the packing is removed.

Rationale:

Nursing interventions after a hemorrhoidectomy are aimed at management of pain and avoidance of bleeding and incision rupture. Stool softeners and a high-fiber diet will help the client to avoid straining, thereby reducing the chances of rupturing the incision. An ice pack will increase comfort and decrease bleeding. Options 2 and 5 are incorrect interventions.

The nurse is planning to teach a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) about substances to avoid. Which items should the nurse include on this list? Select all that apply. 2 / 4

• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Nonfat milk
• Fried chicken
• Scrambled eggs ✔✔A. Coffee
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Fried chicken

Rationale:

Foods that decrease lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and irritate the esophagus will increase reflux and exacerbate the symptoms of GERD and therefore should be avoided.Aggravating substances include coffee, chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, carbonated beverages, and alcohol. Options 4 and 6 do not promote this effect.

A client has undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The nurse should place highest priority on which item as part of the client's care plan? 3 / 4

• Monitoring the temperature
• Monitoring complaints of heartburn
• Giving warm gargles for a sore throat
• Assessing for the return of the gag reflex ✔✔4. Assessing for the return of the gag reflex

Rationale:

The nurse places highest priority on assessing for return of the gag reflex. This assessment addresses the client's airway. The nurse also monitors the client's vital signs and for a sudden increase in temperature, which could indicate perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. This complication would be accompanied by other signs as well, such as pain. Monitoring for sore throat and heartburn are also important; however, the client's airway is the priority.

The nurse is providing dietary teaching for a client with a diagnosis of chronic gastritis. The nurse instructs the client to include which foods rich in vitamin B12 in the diet? Select all that apply.

• Nuts
• Corn
• Liver
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