Exam 43: Nursing Management: Lower Gastrointestinal Problems

Which of these prescribed interventions will the nurse implement first when caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with peritonitis caused by a ruptured diverticulum?

A 67-year-old patient tells the nurse, "I have problems with constipation now that I am older, so I use a suppository every morning." Which action should the nurse take first?

Before undergoing a colon resection for cancer of the colon, a patient has an elevated carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA ) test. The nurse explains that the test is used to

A patient with Crohn's disease who is taking infliximab (Remicade) calls the nurse in the outpatient clinic about all of these symptoms. Which symptom is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

Which nursing action is most important to include in the plan of care for a patient who had an abdominal-perineal resection the previous day?

A critically ill patient develops incontinence of watery stools. What action will be best for the nurse to take to prevent complications associated with ongoing incontinence?

A patient with a gunshot wound to the abdomen undergoes surgery, and a colostomy is formed as illustrated. Which information will be included in patient teaching?

A patient is admitted to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain with rebound tenderness. The vital signs include temperature 101° F ( 38.3° C ), pulse 130, respirations 34, and blood pressure ( BP ) 84/50. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care for a patient with bowel irregularity and a new diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

A patient who has had a total proctocolectomy and permanent ileostomy tells the nurse, "I cannot bear to even look at the stoma. I do not think I can manage all these changes." Which is the best action by the nurse?

When implementing the initial plan of care for a patient admitted with acute diverticulitis, the nurse will plan to

After teaching a patient to irrigate a new colostomy, the nurse will determine that the teaching has been effective if the patient

When interviewing a patient with abdominal pain and possible irritable bowel syndrome, which question will be most important for the nurse to ask?

The nurse explains to a patient with a new ileostomy that after the bowel adjusts to the ileostomy, the usual drainage will be about

A patient who has an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis is having 15 to 20 stools daily and has excoriated perianal skin. Which patient behavior indicates that teaching regarding maintenance of skin integrity has been effective?

A patient who has blunt abdominal trauma after an automobile accident is complaining of severe pain. A peritoneal lavage returns brown drainage with fecal material. Which action will the nurse plan to take next?

A hospitalized patient who has been taking antibiotics for several days develops watery diarrhea. Which action should the nurse take first?

During preoperative preparation for a patient scheduled for an abdominal-perineal resection, the nurse will

A patient who has ulcerative colitis has a proctocolectomy and ileostomy. Which information will the nurse include in patient teaching?

A patient is brought to the emergency department with a knife impaled in the abdomen following a domestic fight. During the initial assessment of the patient, the nurse should