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Chapter 4: The Digestive Process

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Chapter 4: The Digestive Process

10 problems · 0 figures

4-1 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is caring for a client with a small bowel obstruction. The client asks why they are experiencing vomiting of stool. What response by the nurse is appropriate?
  1. a.
    The gastrointestinal tract is one long tube, so a blockage will cause contents to move backward.
  2. b.
    The pyloric valve prevents stool from flowing into the stomach when the intestines are blocked.
  3. c.
    Peristaltic movement prevents the backflow of contents when the intestines are blocked.
  4. d.
    Obstruction of the small bowel will not cause vomiting of stool.

Answer

A. The gastrointestinal tract is one long tube, so a blockage will cause contents to move backward.
Because the gastrointestinal tract is a long, hollow tube, closing off the tube in any area causes any contents to flow backward. Stool will backflow into the stomach because it cannot move forward to the anus to exit the body.

4-2 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is assessing a client who has flatus. What finding would the nurse expect to assess in this client?
  1. a.
    Scaphoid abdomen
  2. b.
    Jaundice of the abdomen
  3. c.
    Tympany on percussion
  4. d.
    Dullness on percussion

Answer

C. Tympany on percussion
Tympany on percussion signifies air, and emptiness in an area would indicate flatus.

4-3 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old client who has been brought in by their parents due to refusal to eat and seems to choke on fluids easily. The nurse assesses that the client has uncontrolled drooling, is hyperthermic, and has a very muffled cry. What precaution should the nurse take when assessing the gastrointestinal system of this client?
  1. a.
    Avoid use of tongue blade/depressor.
  2. b.
    Avoid deep palpation of the abdomen.
  3. c.
    Avoid percussion of the abdomen.
  4. d.
    Avoid assessment of liver margins.

Answer

A. Avoid use of tongue blade/depressor.
The client’s symptoms are associated with epiglottitis, and using a tongue blade, depressor, or laryngoscope to exam the throat or mouth could trigger a laryngospasm and respiratory distress.

4-4 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is educating a client on the normal function of the digestive system. The nurse teaches the client that which organ is responsible for the most water absorption?
  1. a.
    Esophagus
  2. b.
    Stomach
  3. c.
    Small intestine
  4. d.
    Large intestine

Answer

D. Large intestine
The large intestine, or colon, is where the most water is absorbed.

4-5 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is caring for a client with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. What test would the nurse anticipate being ordered for this client?
  1. a.
    Comprehensive metabolic panel
  2. b.
    Guaiac test
  3. c.
    Ovum and parasite stool test
  4. d.
    White blood cell count

Answer

B. Guaiac test
The guaiac test detects blood in the stool.

4-6 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is assessing the nutritional status of a healthy older client. Which finding would the nurse anticipate in this client?
  1. a.
    Decreased stomach size
  2. b.
    Decreased vitamin B12 absorption
  3. c.
    Increased esophageal motility
  4. d.
    Increased diarrhea

Answer

B. Decreased vitamin B12 absorption
Hyposecretion of hydrochloric acid and protective mucus occurs in older adults and decreases absorption of vitamin B12.

4-7 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is educating a client on gut homeostasis. Which instruction would the nurse give the client?
  1. a.
    Reduce intake of palm oil.
  2. b.
    Increase sodium intake.
  3. c.
    Limit fluids.
  4. d.
    Reduce fiber intake.

Answer

A. Reduce intake of palm oil.
Palm oil is a saturated fat that can cause gut imbalance, raise bad cholesterol, increase the risk for colon cancer, and promote heart disease.

4-8 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is caring for a client on long-term antibiotic therapy. Which food should the nurse recommend the client include in the diet to maintain gut homeostasis?
  1. a.
    Fish
  2. b.
    Yogurt
  3. c.
    Broccoli
  4. d.
    Carrots

Answer

B. Yogurt
Yogurt with active yeast cultures has been shown to support the microbiome and prevent some of the side effects related to long-term antibiotic use.

4-9 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is caring for a client taking multiple medications. Which should the nurse teach as supportive to the microbiome of the gut?
  1. a.
    Gentamycin
  2. b.
    Pantoprazole
  3. c.
    Lactobacillus
  4. d.
    Lovastatin

Answer

C. Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus has been shown to be supportive of the microbiome while the others are known to be harmful.

4-10 §4.RQ source ↗

The nurse is caring for a client with multiple health problems. Which finding in the client’s history supports the client’s gut homeostasis?
  1. a.
    Metformin use for type 2 diabetes
  2. b.
    Increased intake of saturated fats
  3. c.
    Regular use of laxatives
  4. d.
    High intake of whole grains

Answer

D. High intake of whole grains
Gut homeostasis is supported by eating whole grains, unless the person has a sensitivity to gluten.

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Problems and answers are adapted from Nutrition for Nurses by Emerald Charity Bilbrew, Jody Vogelzang and Kelli Whittington, OpenStax, and are used under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/nutrition/pages/1-introduction. Illustrations: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This adaptation is released under the same licence, is non-commercial, and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by OpenStax or Rice University.