GI

A nurse is caring for a client with a history of hernia repair. What is a likely cause of intestinal obstruction commonly associated with a history of abdominopelvic surgeries?

adhesions

A nurse is caring for a client with elevated AST and ALT levels. The function of which organ is suspected to be affected?

liver

The nurse is performing a physical assessment of a patient with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The nurse notes the presence of visible peristaltic waves and, on auscultation, hears high-pitched bowel sounds. Which conclusion does the nurse draw from these findings?

The patient's growing tumor has caused a partial bowel obstruction.

A nurse is assessing a client with Crohn's disease for signs of malabsorption. What clinical manifestation is indicative of malabsorption in Crohn's disease?

Steatorrhea

What is the underlying pathology experienced by people with irritable bowel syndrome?

Increased response to stretching and discomfort resulting in intestinal motility

A patient is admitted to the healthcare facility with a diagnosis of a bleeding gastric ulcer. The nurse expects this patient's stools to be

black and tarry

A nurse is caring for a client with diverticulitis and suspects the presence of a bowel perforation. What clinical manifestation is indicative of a bowel perforation in diverticulitis?

rigid abdomen

A client hospitalized client is exhibiting signs of dysphagia after suffering from an ischemic stroke. Clients with dysphagia must receive oral feedings with the head of the bed elevated to prevent

aspiration and pneumonia

A nurse is caring for a client with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. What dietary restriction should the nurse recommend in managing hepatic encephalopathy?

Low-protein diet

The nurse conducts a physical assessment of a patient with anorexia and severe abdominal pain. The nurse notes that the abdomen is rigid, and the patient's temperature is 101.1°F (38.4°C). Which condition does the nurse suspect based on this information?

Perforated gastric ulcer with peritonitis

A client with Crohn's disease presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. What part of the gastrointestinal tract is commonly affected by Crohn's disease?

Jejunum and ileum

Bright red bleeding from the rectum is referred to as

Hematochezia

Ulcerative colitis affects mainly the distal portions of the large intestine (sigmoid colon and rectum). Due to the location of the affected intestinal areas, this disease process commonly presents with:

Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency to defecate.

The most common disorder associated with upper GI bleeding is:

Esophageal varices.

Which teaching is a priority for the patient with gastroesophageal reflux?

"Eat four to six small meals each day.”

A client with viral hepatitis is experiencing generalized pruritus, jaundice, and pale-colored stools. What is the primary cause of these signs of viral hepatitis?

Obstruction of the bile ducts

A nurse is performing a physical exam on a 56-year-old male patient with a history of cigarette smoking and previous polyp removal during his last colonoscopy 8 years ago. The patient reports he also has a history of GERD and heavy alcohol consumption. In the past 2-3 months, the patient reports he has been feeling some fatigue and weakness, his appetite has decreased, and he has been feeling constipated. Before the onset of these symptoms, the patient was considered very active and normally had regular bowel movements daily. Based on this history, what is most concerning to the nurse alerting them to the possibility of colon cancer? Select all that apply

• History of cigarette smoking

• Fatigue and weakness

• A change in bowel habits at his age

• Heavy alcohol consumption

Decreased synthesis of which substance in the patient diagnosed with liver failure would be responsible for the development of ascites?

albumin

A nurse is caring for a client with liver cirrhosis and suspects the presence of esophageal varices. What is the primary cause of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis?

portal HTN

A 20-year-old recently diagnosed with lactose intolerance eats an ice cream cone and develops diarrhea. This diarrhea can be classified as _____ diarrhea

osmotic