Question 1

The nurse instructs the patient who has had an ileostomy to modify the diet to include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  increase the protein intake. 
B)  choose foods that are high in calories. 
C)  select foods that have a milk base. 
D)  eat raw vegetables and fruits. 
E)  include whole grain products in diet daily.

Question 2

A nurse is monitoring bowel elimination of a patient who has a history of constipation. The nurse implements measures to assist with bowel elimination if the patient has not had a bowel movement within how many days?

Accepted Answer

A)  5 
B)  3 
C)  2 
D)  1

Question 3

The nurse reminds the patient that digestion of food is a complex process with much of the food breaking down in intestines. The small intestine functions to:

Accepted Answer

A)  reabsorb sodium and chlorides. 
B)  propel waste material toward the anus. 
C)  absorb food substances from the bloodstream. 
D)  return water from the waste material to the bloodstream.

Question 4

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a patient who will begin a bowel training program. An intervention this program does not include is:

Accepted Answer

A)  regularly scheduled time for toileting. 
B)  fluid intake of at least 2500 mL daily. 
C)  use of a suppository. 
D)  use of an enema.

Question 5

A nurse has performed abdominal assessments on four patients. After reviewing the findings, the nurse is least concerned about problems with bowel elimination for the patient with abdomen _____ bowel sounds in all four quadrants.

Accepted Answer

A)  nondistended, firm, with hypoactive 
B)  nondistended, soft, with active 
C)  distended, firm, with hypoactive 
D)  distended, soft, with hyperactive

Question 6

The nurse caring for a patient who had a colostomy 2 days ago assesses slight bleeding around the stoma when the area is cleansed, colostomy bag filled with gas, pale stoma, and a reddened area under the adhesive of the appliance. The assessment that should be reported immediately is the assessment pertaining to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  skin irritation. 
B)  bleeding around the stoma. 
C)  amount of gas in the bag. 
D)  pale stoma.

Question 7

The patient with the new colostomy is concerned about how to control diarrhea of the effluent. The nurse suggests that diarrhea can be controlled by the intake of:

Accepted Answer

A)  cheese. 
B)  apple juice. 
C)  raw vegetables. 
D)  beams.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for an anxious patient who is scheduled for surgery for colostomy placement. While the nurse is talking to the patient, the patient states, "I am so scared." The nurse's most supportive response would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  "Surgeries like yours are very safe." 
B)  "What about your colostomy scares you?" 
C)  "Why are you scared?" 
D)  "Sounds like someone has been telling you horror stories."

Question 9

A patient who is badly constipated has just received an oil-retention enema. The nurse encourages this patient to try to hold the enema for at least how long before trying to have a bowel movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  10 minutes 
B)  15 minutes 
C)  20 minutes 
D)  40 minutes

Question 10

An ambulatory clinic patient telephones to report diarrhea and to ask for advice on medication to manage it. The best response by the nurse is, "Do not use antidiarrheal medication for longer than _____ hours without calling back for an appointment."

Accepted Answer

A)  24 
B)  48 
C)  72 
D)  96

Question 11

A patient has just completed a series of upper gastrointestinal tract radiographs that involved the use of barium as a contrast agent. Which measure will this patient need to help excrete the barium?

Accepted Answer

A)  Diuretics and fluid restriction to 1.5 L 
B)  Diuretics and fluid intake increased to 3.5 L 
C)  Laxatives and fluid restriction to 1.5 L 
D)  Laxatives and fluid intake increased to 3.5 L

Question 12

The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________....

Question 13

A patient calls the nurse at the health clinic and reports that since his trip to Mexico, he has been experiencing diarrhea. The nurse suggests he try the antidiarrheal drug:

Accepted Answer

A)  docusate sodium (Colace). 
B)  loperamide (Imodium). 
C)  polycarbophil (FiberCon). 
D)  senna (Senokot).

Exam 30: Promoting Bowel Elimination