Question 1

The nurse should place the patient in which position when preparing to administer an enema?

Accepted Answer

A)  Left Sims's position.
B)  Fowler's.
C)  Supine.
D)  Semi-Fowler's. A

Question 2

A nurse is assisting a patient in making dietary choices that promote healthy bowel elimination.Which menu option should the nurse recommend?

Accepted Answer

A)  Grape and walnut chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat bread.
B)  Broccoli and cheese soup with potato bread.
C)  Dinner salad topped with hard-boiled eggs,cheese,and fat-free dressing.
D)  Turkey and mashed potatoes with brown gravy. A

Question 3

Fecal impactions occur in which portion of the colon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ascending.
B)  Descending.
C)  Transverse.
D)  Rectum. D

Question 4

A patient receives a diagnosis of bowel obstruction.The nurse chooses which type of tube for gastric decompression?

Accepted Answer

A)  Salem sump.
B)  Dobhoff.
C)  Sengstaken-Blakemore.
D)  Small bore.

Question 5

The nurse is devising a plan of care for a patient with the nursing diagnosis of Constipation related to opioid use.Which of the following outcomes would the nurse evaluate as successful for the patient to establish normal defecation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The patient reports eliminating a soft,formed stool.
B)  The patient has quit taking opioid pain medication.
C)  The patient's lower left quadrant is tender to the touch.
D)  The nurse hears bowel sounds in all four quadrants.

Question 6

The nurse is emptying an ileostomy pouch for a patient.Which assessment finding would the nurse report immediately?

Accepted Answer

A)  Liquid consistency of stool.
B)  Presence of blood in the stool.
C)  Noxious odour from the stool.
D)  Continuous output from the stoma.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who had a colostomy placed yesterday.The nurse should report which assessment finding immediately?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stoma is protruding from the abdomen.
B)  Stoma is moist.
C)  Stool is discharging from the stoma.
D)  Stoma is purple.

Question 8

The nurse would anticipate which diagnostic examination for a patient with black,tarry stools?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ultrasonography.
B)  Barium enema study.
C)  Upper endoscopy.
D)  Flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Question 9

A patient with a hip fracture is having difficulty defecating into a bed pan while lying in bed.Which action by the nurse would assist the patient in having a successful bowel movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administering laxatives to the patient.
B)  Raising the head of the bed.
C)  Preparing to administer a barium enema.
D)  Withholding narcotic pain medication.

Question 10

The nurse would expect the least formed stool to be present in which portion of the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ascending.
B)  Descending.
C)  Transverse.
D)  Sigmoid.

Question 11

The nurse knows that most nutrients are absorbed in which portion of the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stomach.
B)  Duodenum.
C)  Ileum.
D)  Cecum.

Question 12

After a patient returns from a barium swallow study,what is the nurse's priority?

Accepted Answer

A)  Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake to flush out the barium.
B)  Monitor stools closely for bright red blood or mucus,which indicates trauma from the procedure.
C)  Inform the patient that the bowel movements are radioactive and that the patient should be sure to flush the toilet three times.
D)  Thicken all the patient's drinks to prevent aspiration.

Question 13

An older person's perineal skin appears to be dry and thin with mild excoriation.When providing hygiene after a bowel movement,what should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Thoroughly scrub the skin with a washcloth and hypoallergenic soap.
B)  Apply a skin protective lotion after perineal care.
C)  Tape an occlusive moisture barrier pad to the patient's skin.
D)  Massage the skin with deep kneading pressure.

Question 14

A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who is going home with a guaiac test.Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further education?

Accepted Answer

A)  "If I get a positive result,I have gastrointestinal bleeding."
B)  "I should not eat red meat before my examination."
C)  "I should schedule to perform the examination when I am not menstruating."
D)  "I will need to perform this test three times if I have a positive result."

Question 15

A patient expresses concerns over having black stool.The fecal occult test is negative.Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)  "This is probably a false-negative result;we should rerun the test."
B)  "Do you take iron supplements?"
C)  "You should schedule a colonoscopy as soon as possible."
D)  "Sometimes severe stress can alter stool colour."

Question 16

Which nursing intervention is most effective in promoting normal defecation for a patient who has muscle weakness in the legs that prevents ambulation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Elevating the head of the bed 45 degrees 60 minutes after breakfast.
B)  Using a mobility device to place the patient on a bedside commode.
C)  Giving the patient a pillow to brace against the abdomen while bearing down.
D)  Administering a soapsuds enema every 2 hours.

Question 17

A nurse is educating a patient on how to irrigate an ostomy bag.Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further instruction?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I can use a Fleet enema to save money because it contains the same irrigation solution."
B)  "Sitting on the toilet lets the irrigation sleeve eliminate into the bowl."
C)  "I should never attempt to reach into my stoma to remove fecal material."
D)  "Using warm tap water will reduce cramping and discomfort during the procedure."

Question 18

The nurse knows that a bowel elimination schedule would be most beneficial in the plan of care for which patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 40-year-old patient with an ileostomy.
B)  A 25-year-old patient with Crohn's disease.
C)  A 30-year-old patient with C.difficile infection.
D)  A 70-year-old patient with stool incontinence.

Question 19

Which physiological change can cause a paralytic ileus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chronic cathartic abuse.
B)  Surgery with anaesthesia for Crohn's disease.
C)  Suppression of hydrochloric acid from medication.
D)  Fecal impaction.

Question 20

The nurse is preparing to perform a fecal occult blood test.The nurse plans to properly perform the examination by doing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Applying liberal amounts of stool to the guaiac paper.
B)  Not allowing patients to collect their own specimens
C)  Reporting any abnormal findings to the care provider.
D)  Applying sterile disposable gloves.

Exam 44: Bowel Elimination