RN Alteration in Digestion and Bowel Elimination Assessment
Question: 1 of 28
Question: 2 of 28
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of inflammatory
bowel disease(IBD). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. “Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause ‘flare-ups’ of your GI issues.”
B. “You should be able to easily tolerate dairy products.”
C. “Caffeine and carbonated beverages should not cause any issues with your disorder.”
D. “A high-residue diet can help alleviate episodes of abdominal pain and diarrhea.”
Answer: A. “Keep a food diary to monitor the foods that cause ‘flare-ups’ of your GI issues.”
Question: 3 of 28
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who reports severe pain of 10 on a
scale from 0 to 10 in their abdomen that radiates to their back. The client states that the pain
started about 4 hr ago. They are diaphoretic, anxious, and nauseated. There is abdominal
guarding noted on the exam. The client has a history of alcohol use disorder and states that
they drank “a lot of booze” last night. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A. Prepare the client for admission to the ICU.
B. Obtain an order for an anti-emetic medication.
C. Start a peripheral IV for hydration.
D. Obtain an order for a fast-acting pain relief medication.
Answer: C. Start a peripheral IV for hydration.
Question: 4 of 28
A nurse is teaching a client about reducing risk factors for developing recurring oral herpes
(HSV-I). Which statement should the nurse include?
A. “Protect your lips from exposure to direct sunlight or other ultraviolet light.”
B. “Join an early-morning exercise class at the gym to wear off steam.”
C. “Distract yourself by taking harder classes in school.”
D. “Avoid getting the flu shot every year.”
Answer: A. “Protect your lips from exposure to direct sunlight or other ultraviolet light.”
Question: 5 of 28
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of hepatitis B and lives in a
large household. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make about the
other members of the client's household?
A. All individuals living with a newly infected person should move out right away.
B. There is nothing new or different that these individuals need to do.
C. All individuals living with a newly infected person should contact their health care
provider.
D. All individuals living with a newly infected person should not be told because this is
HIPAA-protected information.
Answer: C. All individuals living with a newly infected person should contact their health
care provider.
Question: 6 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who states, “I think I might have the beginnings of oral cancer.”
Which of the following manifestations can be indicative of oral cancer?
A. Serous-filled blister in the oral cavity or on the lips
B. A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
C. White cottage cheese appearance in the mouth
D. Strawberry appearance of the tongue
Answer: B. A white, scaly patch inside the mouth
Question: 7 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who just finished treatment for their H. pylori infection. Which
of the following should the nurse recommend to prevent a recurrent infection?
A. “Avoid spicy foods.”
B. “Only eat food that is overcooked.”
C. “Make sure to wash your hands after handling raw fish.”
D. “Prepare food so that it is slightly undercooked.”
Answer: C. “Make sure to wash your hands after handling raw fish.”
Question: 8 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has a BMI of 31, is a heavy smoker, and reports working
long hours and eating fast food frequently. Vital signs are stable, but the client reports frequent
throat irritation. The nurse should recognize that the client may be at risk for which of the
following conditions?
A. Tonsilitis
B. Rhinovirus
C. GERD
D. Mononucleosis
Answer: C. GERD
Question: 9 of 28
A nurse working in a clinic is caring for a client who states, “I do not know why I've had a cold
sore on my lip since I have had an infection.” Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
A. “It is likely related to a gastrointestinal disorder.”
B. “Oral herpes lays dormant and can appear during increased stress or with a weakened
immune system.”
C. “That should never happen, because once you have had herpes, you are immune from it
reoccurring.”
D. “That is likely not herpes, because it doesn't usually appear on the lips.”
Answer: B. “Oral herpes lays dormant and can appear during increased stress or with a
weakened immune system.”
Question: 10 of 28
A nurse is assisting feeding a client who has dementia, and the client begins to cough after
swallowing milk. Which of the following statements should the nurse to make to the client's
visiting family?
A. “Don't worry. Your mother's lower esophageal sphincter will close to prevent aspiration.”
B. “I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our food pipe
called the upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the airways.”
C. “It’s okay. Your mother's palatine tonsils keep the milk from entering the windpipe so that
she won't aspirate.”
D. “There's no need to be concerned because our diaphragm works by not allowing liquids to
enter the lungs.”
Answer: B. “I know it can be scary. The cough can be caused by a spasm of an area in our
food pipe called the upper esophageal sphincter that prevents liquids from entering the
airways.”
Question: 11 of 28
A nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a client who has been diagnosed with
thrombocytopenia related to liver failure. Which of the following statements should the nurse
make?
A. “Only shave with an electric razor and brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush.”
B. “It is okay to take NSAIDs for pain relief.”
C. “You may continue to floss your teeth twice per day to resume good dental hygiene.”
D. “Resuming contact sports is fine as long as you use a mouthpiece and ear protectors.”
Answer: A. “Only shave with an electric razor and brush your teeth with a soft bristle
toothbrush.”
Question: 12 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has a recent diagnosis of liver disease and is returning for a
follow-up visit. The client presents with a new onset of a tiny, superficial grouping of small
blood vessels on the chest. The nurse should identify the client likely has which of the
following?
A. Spider veins or spider angioma
B. Contact dermatitis
C. Eczema
D. Acne vulgaris
Answer: A. Spider veins or spider angioma
Question: 13 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following types of bowel
sounds should the nurse expect to auscultate?
A. Absent
B. Normoactive
C. Hyperactive
D. Hypoactive
Answer: D. Hypoactive
Question: 14 of 28
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been taking NSAIDs for chronic pain related
to osteoarthritis. The nurse should identify that long-term use of NSAIDs places the client at
risk for which of the following?
A. Type 2 diabetes
B. GI bleeding
C. Neuropathy
D. Pancreatitis
Answer: B. GI bleeding
Question: 15 of 28
A nurse is caring for an older adult client with a long history of alcohol use disorder who has
manifestations of confusion and incoherence. The nurse should suspect that which of the
following is causing the client's manifestations?
A. Dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease
B. Manifestations of thrombocytopenia
C. Delirium
D. Complications associated with hepatic encephalopathy
Answer: D. Complications associated with hepatic encephalopathy
Question: 16 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease. The client is crying
and states, “I might as well keep drinking because I’m going to die now anyway.” Which of
the following is the best response by the nurse?
A. “If you stop drinking alcohol now, you can reduce the progression of further liver
damage.”
B. “I'm sorry you are feeling this way. There is always a possibility of a liver transplant.”
C. “There are a lot of people with liver disease that have it much worse than you.”
D. “Have you ever heard of chelation therapy? Maybe you should look into other
alternatives.”
Answer: A. “If you stop drinking alcohol now, you can reduce the progression of further
liver damage.”
Question: 17 of 28
A nurse is providing education to the partner of a client who has been newly diagnosed with
compensated cirrhosis of the liver. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. “Compensated means that the liver damage is so great, that other organs will need to pay
back its deficit or lack of performance by working harder.”
B. “Compensated means that the liver, although damaged, has naturally adjusted its workload
to hide any outward and physical signs of the disease at this time.”
C. “Compensated is the worst stage of cirrhosis and means that the liver can no longer be
compensated for or repaired.”
D. “Compensated means that the liver has completely recovered and that the client will no
longer have liver disease.”
Answer: B. “Compensated means that the liver, although damaged, has naturally adjusted its
workload to hide any outward and physical signs of the disease at this time.”
Question: 18 of 28
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has recently been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. “Avoid bending over as much as possible.”
B. “Do not practice yoga.”
C. “Avoid tight-fitting clothes and heavy lifting.”
D. “Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down.”
Answer: C. “Avoid tight-fitting clothes and heavy lifting.”
Question: 19 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted to the hospital with a small bowel
obstruction. Which of the following medical/surgical histories placed the client at increased
risk for this obstruction?
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Crohn's disease
C. Addison's disease
D. Brain cancer
Answer: B. Crohn's disease
Question: 20 of 28
A nurse is caring for a group of clients who are experiencing abdominal pain. The nurse would
identify that which of the following clients is at risk for developing cholecystitis?
A. 58-year-old female who has osteoarthritis
B. 25 year-old male who has type 1 diabetes
C. 31 -year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
D. 46-year-old male who eats a high-fiber diet
Answer: C. 31 -year-old female who takes oral contraceptives
Question: 21 of 28
A nurse is speaking with a client who called the community health information call center desk.
The client states that they have been having a fever with severe epigastric pain that radiates to
the right shoulder, mainly after eating, for the past 2 days now. Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
A. “Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected gallbladder,
and if left untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis.”
B. “Have you tried acetaminophen and an antacid medication first?”
C. “Try to not eat for the rest of the day, and if this continues into tomorrow morning, then
you should see your doctor.”
D. “Why don't you call your doctor's office to find out if you can be seen?”
Answer: A. “Come to the ED immediately. There is a possibility this may be an infected
gallbladder, and if left untreated, you can develop a perforation and possible sepsis.”
Question: 22 of 28
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which
of the following statements should the nurse make to explain to the client's partner why the
client is being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)?
A. “Since your partner has pancreatitis, we will admit them to ICU in order to prepare them
for a pancreatectomy procedure.”
B. “We’d rather have your partner in ICU to assist in keeping them calm due to the amount of
pain that they are experiencing.”
C. “People who have potential pancreatitis are often misdiagnosed so we want to be on the
safe side.”
D. “The complications of pancreatitis can be serious or life threatening.”
Answer: D. “The complications of pancreatitis can be serious or life threatening.”
Question: 23 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Which of the
following manifestations would the nurse expect to observe?
A. A metallic taste in the mouth
B. Nocturnal bowel movements
C. Abscess formation
D. Fistulas around the anus
Answer: B. Nocturnal bowel movements
Question: 24 of 28
A nurse is caring for a 22-year-old client who has a diagnosis of GERD. The client states. “I
thought I was too young to get this condition.” Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
A. “I'm sure the diagnosis is accurate. You should follow the recommendations provided.”
B. “Well, it could have been a lot worse. You're lucky it wasn't anything bad.”
C. “Researchers are seeing GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is related to
the types of food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle.”
D. “This is very unusual at your age. Did your parent ever tell you that you had problems
with spitting up as a baby?”
Answer: C. “Researchers are seeing GERD in younger individuals now, and they think it is
related to the types of food and drink we consume, as well as our lifestyle.”
Question: 25 of 28
A nurse is providing discharge education to a client who has a new diagnosis of celiac disease.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. “It is okay to eat food made with bleached flour.”
B. “You should not drink wine because that can cause an inflammatory response.”
C. “You should avoid croutons in your salad or other foods you eat.”
D. “If you like to enjoy a light beer, there should be no problem.”
Answer: C. “You should avoid croutons in your salad or other foods you eat.”
Question: 26 of 28
A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who is demonstrating manifestations
of cholecystitis. Which of the following diagnostic exams is the preferred and initial imaging
test to diagnose this condition?
A. MRI
B. Abdominal ultrasound
C. Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
D. CT scan
Answer: B. Abdominal ultrasound
Question: 27 of 28
Question: 28 of 28
