Exam 18: Gastrointestinal Alterations

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving several cardiac medications designed to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system,vitamin B₁₂,and an H₂ blocker.The nurse should do which of the following?

Metronidazole is being given to treat hepatic encephalopathy.When administering this medication,the nurse

The nurse is caring for a critically ill patient with end-stage liver disease.The nurse knows that the patient is at risk for hyperdynamic circulation and varices.Which of the following assessments would indicate a hyperdynamic status?

Lactulose is considered the first-line treatment for hepatic encephalopathy and works by

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a peptic ulcer.To treat the ulcer and prevent more ulcers from forming,the nurse should be prepared to administer

The patient is admitted with generalized fatigue and low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.The patient denies vomiting and states that the last bowel movement earlier that day was normal in color and consistency.However,because GI blood loss can be a cause of anemia,the nurse should expect to

The nurse is caring for a patient who is passing bright red blood rectally.The nurse should expect to insert a nasogastric tube to

The patient is admitted with pancreatitis and has severe ascites.In caring for this patient,the nurse should

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe pancreatitis who is orally intubated and on mechanical ventilation.The patient's calcium level this morning was 5.5 mg/dL.The nurse notifies the provider and

The patient is being admitted to the hospital.At home,the patient takes an over-the-counter supplement of vitamin D and is concerned because the doctor did not order that vitamin D to be given in the hospital.The nurse explains that

The patient is admitted with the diagnosis of GI bleeding.The patient's heart rate is 140 beats per minute,and the blood pressure is 84/44 mm Hg.These values may indicate:

The patient is ordered to have large-volume gastric lavage.The nurse will most likely need to

The patient is diagnosed with hepatitis.In caring for this patient,the nurse should

The nurse is assessing a patient who is admitted with abdominal pain.To detect abdominal masses,the nurse

The patient is admitted with constipation.In anticipation of treatment,the nurse prepares to:

The patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis and is demonstrating severe abdominal pain,vomiting,and ascites.Using the Ranson classification criteria,the nurse determines that this patient

The patient is admitted with severe abdominal pain due to pancreatitis.The patient asks the nurse,"What causes this? Why does it hurt so much?" The nurse should answer :

Pain control is a nursing priority in patients with acute pancreatitis because pain

In assessing the patient complaining of abdominal pain,it is important for the nurse to understand that

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis.To provide adequate pain control,the nurse