Exam 2 Flashcards
steps of ostomy care for a patient
Remove and dispose of the used ostomy pouch. Assess the integrity of the stoma and peristomal skin. Cleanse the area surrounding the stoma. Measure the stoma. Prepare the new pouch to fit stoma. Apply the new pouch.
Which assessment cues would alert the nurse that the patient with diarrhea is declining?
Has two more episodes of liquid stools
Having two more episodes of liquid stools indicates the patient is declining.
Exhibits dry mucous membranes
Developing signs of dehydration (exhibiting dry mucous membranes) indicates the patient is declining.
Exhibits poor skin turgor
Which stoma assessment cue would alert the nurse that the patient with a bowel diversion is deteriorating?
Moist, blue
A moist, blue stoma indicates the patient is declining/deteriorating, and the health care provider needs to be notified.
Which action would the nurse take for a patient with a newly formed bowel diversion?
Perform stoma care him- or herself.
The nurse would not delegate this skill if the stoma is new or complications are present; thus, the nurse would perform stoma care because the patient has a new bowel diversion.
Which task would the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistance personnel (UAP) for a patient’s bowel elimination needs?
Record intake and output for a frail older adult.
The nurse can delegate recording intake and output to the UAP.
Which action would the nurse take for a patient whose ostomy stoma is speckled white?
Notify the health care provider.
The health care provider is notified because the findings indicate the patient has probably developed a fungal infection.
Which action would the nurse take if there are concerns during administration of the enema?
If the patient cannot hold the enema solution, place the patient on a bedpan.
If the patient cannot retain the enema, place the patient on a bedpan.
Which patient statement would indicate to the nurse that the patient understands the teaching for an opiate-based antidiarrheal agent?
“I should take the medicine for no more than 72 hours.”
This statement indicates patient understanding. It is recommended that a patient limit use of opioid antidiarrheal drugs to 48 to 72 hours.
For which constipated patient would the nurse administer a laxative?
One who is allergic to opiates
Laxatives are not opiate-based drugs; therefore the nurse would administer the laxative to this patient.
Which laxative would the nurse observe written on the medication administration record (MAR) for a patient with a prescription for a stimulant?
Senna
The nurse would observe senna on the MAR. Senna is a type of stimulant cathartic laxative.
For which primary purpose would the nurse insert a large-bore nasogastric tube in a patient who ate a poisonous substance?
Gastric lavage
A large-bore nasogastric tube allows the stomach to be irrigated with fluids to flush out poisons and blood.
Which action would the nurse take first when there is no movement of fluid in the patient’s nasogastric tube and the patient’s abdomen is becoming distended?
Irrigate the tube with normal saline.
The nurse would irrigate the tube with normal saline first when there is no movement of fluid in the nasogastric tube and the patient’s abdomen is becoming distended.
Which statements by a group of healthy adults indicate successful teaching by the nurse about colorectal health?
“Because I am 50, I need to have a fecal occult blood test every year.”
This statement reflects the recommended screening guidelines for fecal occult blood testing and indicates successful teaching.
“Because I have no personal or family history of colorectal cancer and am 50 years old, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy screening should begin now.”
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy screening for colorectal polyps and early signs of cancer begins at age 45 to 50 for most people. This statement indicates successful teaching.
Which information would the nurse share with a patient who wants to eat healthy and have an active lifestyle to improve digestive health?
Walking stimulates intestinal muscle contraction.
The nurse would include this information because aerobic exercise, like walking, stimulates contraction of intestinal muscles.
Usually 6 to 8 glasses of fluid should be consumed per day.
The nurse would include this information because the patient needs 6 to 8 glasses of fluid to keep feces soft.
Which actions would the nurse take for a patient who has diarrhea and is becoming dehydrated?
Monitor intake and output.
The nurse would monitor intake and output for a patient with diarrhea and dehydration.
Weigh daily.
The nurse would weigh the patient daily, especially because dehydration is developing.
Assess skin turgor.
The nurse would assess skin turgor, especially because dehydration is developing.
Which assessment cues alert the nurse that the patient with a fecal impaction is deteriorating?
Heart rate drops to 56 beats/min
A heart rate below 60 beats/min indicates the patient is declining/deteriorating.
Blood pressure elevates from 120/60 to 142/66 mm Hg
Blood pressure elevation by 20 to 40 mm Hg (120 to 142 mm Hg) indicates the patient is declining/deteriorating.
Which actions would the nurse take when performing routine ostomy care on a patient with an ileostomy?
Measure the stoma.
Careful measurement of the stoma is necessary to prevent injury to the stoma or surrounding skin.
Assess the pouch seal.
The pouch is assessed to make sure the seal is secure to prevent leakage and potential skin breakdown.
Gently wash the stoma and peristomal area with water.
It is important to wash the stoma and surrounding area to prevent skin irritation and to enhance adherence of the pouch.
Which nursing actions would the nurse perform directly after completion of a cleansing enema to an ambulatory patient?
Assisting the patient to the bathroom
Because the patient can walk to the bathroom, the nurse would assist the patient to the bathroom.
Ensuring that nonskid shoes/socks are in place
For safety, the patient would wear nonskid footwear to prevent falls.
Which cues would alert the nurse that a patient with a nasogastric tube is experiencing aspiration?
Fever
Temperature (fever) occurs with aspiration.
Congested lung sounds
Lung congestion or congested lung sounds occur with aspiration.
Shortness of breath
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, occurs with aspiration.
After how many enemas would the nurse notify the health care provider when the patient’s bowel return for cleansing enemas is still brown? Record your answer as a whole number. __ enemas
3
Which processes are functions of the large intestine?
Secretion
Secretion is a function of the large intestine. The large intestine secretes bicarbonate in exchange for chloride.
Elimination
Elimination is a function of the large intestine. The large intestine eliminates potassium, feces, and flatus.
Absorption
Absorption is a function of the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water continually from chyme, converting it to solid feces/stool.
The gastrointestinal tract has which function?
Absorption of nutrients and fluids
The gastrointestinal tract absorbs nutrients and fluids.
Which structure is the primary organ that aids in defecation?
Large intestine
The large intestine is the principal organ of bowel elimination and aids in defecation.
Which function does defecation serve?
Expels feces
Defecation expels feces/stool from the body. The ultimate function of the large intestine and the final act of digestion to produce feces and expel it from the body. In nursing this is called a bowel movement or stool.