Symptoms and Tests for Gastrointestinal Conditions - NCLEX-PN

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Question

A client presents to the clinic for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) as part of his colorectal screening appointment. The nurse previously instructed this patient to avoid certain foods for 48-72 hours prior to testing.

All of the following foods were to be avoided except __________.

Answer

There are many foods not to be ingested just prior to FOBT, prunes are fine to eat. Red meat, broccoli, cantaloupe, beets, turnips, carrots, horseradish and several others may alter the test results and should be avoided before a FOBT.

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Question

A 70-year-old female client is being treated as an outpatient for diverticulitis. The nurse explains that there are several complications associated with this disease.

The nurse informs the patient that diverticulitis is the most common cause of what complication?

Answer

Diverticulitis is the most common cause of lower GI bleeds. Peritonitis and bowel obstruction are possible complications, but not most commonly associated with diverticulitis. Renal failure and severe diarrhea are not complications of diverticulitis.

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Question

The pediatric nurse assesses a 11-year-old patient in the emergency department. The child’s parent explains the child’s signs and symptoms from the last few days. Which of the following statements by the parent is most important to the nurse?

Answer

This patient is experiencing signs of appendicitis, which include periumbilical abdominal pain (usually originating in the right lower quadrant), anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and a low-grade fever. Appendicitis is frequently diagnosed in young children and young adults with these symptoms and a white blood cell count from . The nurse should be most concerned if the pain has suddenly ceased, which may be a sign of perforation, which is an emergency due to hemorrhage and infection risks.

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Question

The pediatric nurse cares for a young child admitted with appendicitis. Which of the following signs and symptoms most concerns the nurse?

Answer

Without treatment, appendicitis can lead to peritonitis or perforation. Typical signs and symptoms of appendicitis include periumbilical abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and low-grade fever. The normal WBC count for a patient with appendicitis ranges from . The nurse caring for a patient with appendicitis should always be aware of particularly concerning signs or symptoms of peritonitis, especially those that differ from established baseline signs and symptoms. Many of the symptoms of appendicitis may be apparent with peritonitis, especially tenderness, fever, and white blood cell counts. When assessing for peritonitis, the nurse should specifically look for abdominal rigidity/distention, rebound tenderness, increased/severe abdominal pain, ascites, increased temperature, increased leukocytosis, and paralytic ileus.

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Question

A patient just returned from a trip outside of the country and is now experiencing fever, nausea, and vomiting. She tests positive for hepatitis A IgM. She would like to know if hepatitis A is a chronic infection, or if it will resolve with treatment. The nurse should advise her which of the following?

Answer

Hepatitis A is a generally benign, self-limiting disease that does not develop into a chronic hepatitis. It also cannot exist in a carrier state. Once the virus is cleared by the immune system, the individual will no longer carry the virus or be infectious to others.

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Question

What is the incubation period of hepatitis B (HBV)?

Answer

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. From the time of initial infection, symptoms might take from 1-6 months to appear.

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Question

Hepatitis B can be transmitted via any of the following routes except __________.

Answer

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted via blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. While the virus is often present in saliva, it is not generally spread by sneezing, kissing, or sharing utensils (unless there are oral abrasions resulting in a mutual exchange of blood). The virus does not have fecal-oral transmission.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

A patient with pancreatitis is placed on an NPO order. What does this order mean?

Answer

NPO means is a latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth. This order is used when a patient is not allowed to eat or drink any substances, usually due to a disturbance within the GI tract or if they are scheduled for a surgery. NPO orders are common in the ICU and surgical setting.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

A client presents to the clinic for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) as part of his colorectal screening appointment. The nurse previously instructed this patient to avoid certain foods for 48-72 hours prior to testing.

All of the following foods were to be avoided except __________.

Answer

There are many foods not to be ingested just prior to FOBT, prunes are fine to eat. Red meat, broccoli, cantaloupe, beets, turnips, carrots, horseradish and several others may alter the test results and should be avoided before a FOBT.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

A 70-year-old female client is being treated as an outpatient for diverticulitis. The nurse explains that there are several complications associated with this disease.

The nurse informs the patient that diverticulitis is the most common cause of what complication?

Answer

Diverticulitis is the most common cause of lower GI bleeds. Peritonitis and bowel obstruction are possible complications, but not most commonly associated with diverticulitis. Renal failure and severe diarrhea are not complications of diverticulitis.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

The pediatric nurse assesses a 11-year-old patient in the emergency department. The child’s parent explains the child’s signs and symptoms from the last few days. Which of the following statements by the parent is most important to the nurse?

Answer

This patient is experiencing signs of appendicitis, which include periumbilical abdominal pain (usually originating in the right lower quadrant), anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and a low-grade fever. Appendicitis is frequently diagnosed in young children and young adults with these symptoms and a white blood cell count from . The nurse should be most concerned if the pain has suddenly ceased, which may be a sign of perforation, which is an emergency due to hemorrhage and infection risks.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

The pediatric nurse cares for a young child admitted with appendicitis. Which of the following signs and symptoms most concerns the nurse?

Answer

Without treatment, appendicitis can lead to peritonitis or perforation. Typical signs and symptoms of appendicitis include periumbilical abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and low-grade fever. The normal WBC count for a patient with appendicitis ranges from . The nurse caring for a patient with appendicitis should always be aware of particularly concerning signs or symptoms of peritonitis, especially those that differ from established baseline signs and symptoms. Many of the symptoms of appendicitis may be apparent with peritonitis, especially tenderness, fever, and white blood cell counts. When assessing for peritonitis, the nurse should specifically look for abdominal rigidity/distention, rebound tenderness, increased/severe abdominal pain, ascites, increased temperature, increased leukocytosis, and paralytic ileus.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

A patient just returned from a trip outside of the country and is now experiencing fever, nausea, and vomiting. She tests positive for hepatitis A IgM. She would like to know if hepatitis A is a chronic infection, or if it will resolve with treatment. The nurse should advise her which of the following?

Answer

Hepatitis A is a generally benign, self-limiting disease that does not develop into a chronic hepatitis. It also cannot exist in a carrier state. Once the virus is cleared by the immune system, the individual will no longer carry the virus or be infectious to others.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

What is the incubation period of hepatitis B (HBV)?

Answer

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. From the time of initial infection, symptoms might take from 1-6 months to appear.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

Hepatitis B can be transmitted via any of the following routes except __________.

Answer

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted via blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. While the virus is often present in saliva, it is not generally spread by sneezing, kissing, or sharing utensils (unless there are oral abrasions resulting in a mutual exchange of blood). The virus does not have fecal-oral transmission.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

Question

A patient with pancreatitis is placed on an NPO order. What does this order mean?

Answer

NPO means is a latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth. This order is used when a patient is not allowed to eat or drink any substances, usually due to a disturbance within the GI tract or if they are scheduled for a surgery. NPO orders are common in the ICU and surgical setting.

Compare your answer with the correct one above

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