Question 1

The nurse has attempted to administer a tap water enema to a patient with fecal impaction,with no success.What is the next priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

A) Preparing the patient for a second tap water enema. 
B) Donning gloves for digital removal of the stool. 
C) Positioning the patient on the left side. 
D) Inserting a rectal tube. 
A) Preparing the patient for a second tap water enema. 
B) Donning gloves for digital removal of the stool. 
C) Positioning the patient on the left side. 
D) Inserting a rectal tube.

Question 2

A nurse is preparing a patient for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Which nursing action is most important?

Accepted Answer

A) Ensuring that the patient does not eat or drink 2 hours before the examination. 
B) Removing all of the patient's metallic jewellery. 
C) Administering a colon-cleansing product 12 hours before the examination. 
D) Obtaining an order for a pain medication before the test is performed. 
A) Ensuring that the patient does not eat or drink 2 hours before the examination. 
B) Removing all of the patient's metallic jewellery. 
C) Administering a colon-cleansing product 12 hours before the examination. 
D) Obtaining an order for a pain medication before the test is performed.

Question 3

A patient had an ileostomy surgically placed 2 days ago.Which diet would the nurse recommend to the patient to ease the transition to use of the new ostomy?

Accepted Answer

A) Eggs over easy,whole wheat toast,and orange juice with pulp. 
B) Chicken fried rice with stir fried vegetables and iced tea. 
C) Turkey meatloaf with white rice and apple juice. 
D) Fish sticks with macaroni and cheese and soda. 
A) Eggs over easy,whole wheat toast,and orange juice with pulp. 
B) Chicken fried rice with stir fried vegetables and iced tea. 
C) Turkey meatloaf with white rice and apple juice. 
D) Fish sticks with macaroni and cheese and soda.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a function of the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

A) Absorbing nutrients. 
B) Absorbing water. 
C) Secreting bicarbonate. 
D) Eliminating waste. 
A) Absorbing nutrients. 
B) Absorbing water. 
C) Secreting bicarbonate. 
D) Eliminating waste.

Question 5

The nurse should question which order?

Accepted Answer

A) A normal saline enema to be repeated every 4 hours until stool is produced. 
B) A hypertonic solution enema with a patient with fluid volume excess. 
C) A Kayexalate enema for a patient with hypokalemia. 
D) An oil retention enema for a patient using mineral oil laxatives. 
A) A normal saline enema to be repeated every 4 hours until stool is produced. 
B) A hypertonic solution enema with a patient with fluid volume excess. 
C) A Kayexalate enema for a patient with hypokalemia. 
D) An oil retention enema for a patient using mineral oil laxatives.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile infection.Which of the following nursing actions is most efficacious in preventing the spread of bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A) Monthly in-service education about contact precautions. 
B) Placing all contaminated items in biohazard bags. 
C) Mandatory cultures for all patients. 
D) Proper hand hygiene techniques. 
A) Monthly in-service education about contact precautions. 
B) Placing all contaminated items in biohazard bags. 
C) Mandatory cultures for all patients. 
D) Proper hand hygiene techniques.

Question 7

A nurse is caring for an older patient with fecal incontinence caused by cathartic use.The nurse is most concerned about which complication that carries the greatest risk for severe injury?

Accepted Answer

A) Rectal skin breakdown. 
B) Contamination of existing wounds. 
C) Falls from attempts to reach the bathroom. 
D) Cross-contamination into the upper GI tract. 
A) Rectal skin breakdown. 
B) Contamination of existing wounds. 
C) Falls from attempts to reach the bathroom. 
D) Cross-contamination into the upper GI tract.

Question 8

The nurse administers a cathartic to a patient.The nurse determines that the cathartic has had a therapeutic effect when what happens?

Accepted Answer

A) The patient has a decreased level of anxiety. 
B) The patient experiences pain relief. 
C) The patient has a bowel movement. 
D) The patient passes flatulence. 
A) The patient has a decreased level of anxiety. 
B) The patient experiences pain relief. 
C) The patient has a bowel movement. 
D) The patient passes flatulence.

Question 9

A patient has constipation and hypernatremia.The nurse prepares to administer which type of enema?

Accepted Answer

A) Oil retention. 
B) Carminative. 
C) Saline. 
D) Tap water. 
A) Oil retention. 
B) Carminative. 
C) Saline. 
D) Tap water.

Question 10

A nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the past week.Which additional assessment finding would the nurse expect?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased energy levels. 
B) Distended abdomen. 
C) Decreased serum bicarbonate level. 
D) Increased blood pressure. 
A) Increased energy levels. 
B) Distended abdomen. 
C) Decreased serum bicarbonate level. 
D) Increased blood pressure.

Question 11

A guaiac test has been ordered.The nurse knows that this is a test for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Bright red blood. 
B) Dark black blood. 
C) Blood that contains mucus. 
D) Blood that cannot be seen. 
A) Bright red blood. 
B) Dark black blood. 
C) Blood that contains mucus. 
D) Blood that cannot be seen.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a patient who is confined to the bed.The nurse asks the patient if he needs to have a bowel movement 30 minutes after eating a meal for what reason?

Accepted Answer

A) The digested food needs to make room for recently ingested food. 
B) Ingestion of food triggers the digestive system to begin peristalsis. 
C) The smell of bowel elimination in the room would deter the patient from eating. 
D) More ancillary staff members are available after meal times. 
A) The digested food needs to make room for recently ingested food. 
B) Ingestion of food triggers the digestive system to begin peristalsis. 
C) The smell of bowel elimination in the room would deter the patient from eating. 
D) More ancillary staff members are available after meal times.

Question 13

A patient informs the nurse that she was using laxatives three times daily to lose weight.After stopping use of the laxative,the patient had difficulty with constipation and wonders if she needs to take laxatives again.With which statement does the nurse educate the patient?

Accepted Answer

A) "Long-term laxative use causes the bowel to become less responsive to stimuli,and constipation may occur." 
B) "Laxatives can cause trauma to the intestinal lining and scarring may result,leading to decreased peristalsis." 
C) "Natural laxatives such as mineral oil are safer than chemical laxatives for relieving constipation." 
D) "Laxatives cause the body to become malnourished,so when the patient begins eating again,the body absorbs all of the food,and no waste products are produced." 
A) "Long-term laxative use causes the bowel to become less responsive to stimuli,and constipation may occur." 
B) "Laxatives can cause trauma to the intestinal lining and scarring may result,leading to decreased peristalsis." 
C) "Natural laxatives such as mineral oil are safer than chemical laxatives for relieving constipation." 
D) "Laxatives cause the body to become malnourished,so when the patient begins eating again,the body absorbs all of the food,and no waste products are produced."

Question 14

Which patient is most at risk for increased peristalsis?

Accepted Answer

A) A 5-year-old child who ignores the urge to defecate owing to embarrassment. 
B) A 21-year-old patient with three final examinations on the same day. 
C) A 40-year-old woman with major depressive disorder. 
D) An 80-year-old man in an assisted-living environment. 
A) A 5-year-old child who ignores the urge to defecate owing to embarrassment. 
B) A 21-year-old patient with three final examinations on the same day. 
C) A 40-year-old woman with major depressive disorder. 
D) An 80-year-old man in an assisted-living environment.

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a patient 2 hours after a colonoscopy.For this procedure,what focused assessment will the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

A) Bowel sounds. 
B) Presence of flatulence. 
C) Bowel movements. 
D) Nausea. 
A) Bowel sounds. 
B) Presence of flatulence. 
C) Bowel movements. 
D) Nausea.

Question 16

The patient is seen in the gastroenterology clinic after having experienced changes in his bowel elimination.A colonoscopy is ordered,and the patient has questions about the examination.What information should the nurse give the patient before the colonoscopy?

Accepted Answer

A) No special preparation is required. 
B) Light sedation is normally used. 
C) No metallic objects are allowed. 
D) Swallowing of an opaque liquid is required. 
A) No special preparation is required. 
B) Light sedation is normally used. 
C) No metallic objects are allowed. 
D) Swallowing of an opaque liquid is required.

Question 17

The nurse knows that the ideal time to change an ostomy pouch is when?

Accepted Answer

A) Before the patient eats a meal,when the patient is comfortable. 
B) When the patient feels that he or she needs to have a bowel movement. 
C) When ordered in the patient's chart. 
D) After the patient has ambulated the length of the hallway. 
A) Before the patient eats a meal,when the patient is comfortable. 
B) When the patient feels that he or she needs to have a bowel movement. 
C) When ordered in the patient's chart. 
D) After the patient has ambulated the length of the hallway.

Exam 44: Bowel Elimination

The nurse has attempted to administer a tap water enema to a patient with fecal impaction,with no success.What is the next priority nursing action?

A nurse is preparing a patient for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Which nursing action is most important?

A patient had an ileostomy surgically placed 2 days ago.Which diet would the nurse recommend to the patient to ease the transition to use of the new ostomy?

Which of the following is not a function of the large intestine?

The nurse should question which order?

The nurse is caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile infection.Which of the following nursing actions is most efficacious in preventing the spread of bacteria?

A nurse is caring for an older patient with fecal incontinence caused by cathartic use.The nurse is most concerned about which complication that carries the greatest risk for severe injury?

The nurse administers a cathartic to a patient.The nurse determines that the cathartic has had a therapeutic effect when what happens?

A patient has constipation and hypernatremia.The nurse prepares to administer which type of enema?

A nurse is caring for a patient who has had diarrhea for the past week.Which additional assessment finding would the nurse expect?

A guaiac test has been ordered.The nurse knows that this is a test for which of the following?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is confined to the bed.The nurse asks the patient if he needs to have a bowel movement 30 minutes after eating a meal for what reason?

A patient informs the nurse that she was using laxatives three times daily to lose weight.After stopping use of the laxative,the patient had difficulty with constipation and wonders if she needs to take laxatives again.With which statement does the nurse educate the patient?

Which patient is most at risk for increased peristalsis?

The nurse is assessing a patient 2 hours after a colonoscopy.For this procedure,what focused assessment will the nurse include?

The patient is seen in the gastroenterology clinic after having experienced changes in his bowel elimination.A colonoscopy is ordered,and the patient has questions about the examination.What information should the nurse give the patient before the colonoscopy?

The nurse knows that the ideal time to change an ostomy pouch is when?

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