GI Health Alterations

Pt has a gastric ulcer and H.pylori infection. Is being treated with triple therapy (clarithromycin, omeprazole, amoxicillin). Pt asks why omeprazole is necessary. Best response regarding omeprazole?

• it will help decrease the acid in your stomach and help prevent recurrence of ulcer

• it is a potent antibiotic that will help eliminate the h.pylori infection.

• it dissolves in the stomach and coats the ulcer to heal it faster.

• it helps control diarrhea that can result from triple therapy.

Which is appropriate to teach pt with dx of irritable bowel syndrome?

• increase intake of foods such as broccoli and cabbage

• drink more fluids with caffeine and fructose

• increase fiber gradually to 25 g per day

• decrease exercise to avoid fluid losses

What instructions should you give your patient after completing an upper GI series with barium?

• sit in bed with HOB elevated to allow barium to pass through

• you may have stools that are darker in appearance for a few days

• you should not eat or drink anything for 6 hours following the test

• you should drink plenty of fluids after the test

Which pt is at highest risk of developing colorectal cancer?

• 55 y.o. woman whose father had colon cancer

• 45 y.o. with irritable bowel syndrome

• 33 y.o. who drinks 4 cups of coffee daily

• 70 y.o. man with peptic ulcer disease

What assessment data would support a nurses suspicions that a 2 day post op colon resection pt may have peritonitis?

• crackles with lung assessment

• abdominal muscle rigidity

• WBC count of 4,000nL

• serosanguineous drainage

Which class of drugs is most useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease?

• opioids

• corticosteroids

• cephalosporins

• proton pump inhibitors

Answer explanation

These lower the activity of your immune system and limit the inflammation in the digestive tract. Used as short-term treatments for flares because they reduce inflammation quickly!

When caring for a newborn with Hirschsprung Disease, the nurse observes for which assessment finding?

• passage of chalky meconium stool

• passage of bloody meconium stool

• failure to pass meconium stool

• umbilical hernia

Answer explanation

Hirschsprung's is also called congenital megacolon.

Condition causes difficulty passing stool.

A pt is admitted with dx acute pancreatitis. The nurse knows tx will include which of the following (select all that apply)

• a high protein diet to aid healing

• NPO status with IV fluid hydration

• monitoring of amylase and lipase levels

• use of pain medication to provide pt comfort

• monitoring blood glucose levels

Pt is admitted for observation post colonoscopy with polyp removal. Which conditions should the nurse contact the provider? (select all that apply)

• rigid abdomen

• passing of flatus

• hypoactive bowel sounds

• absent bowel sounds

• blood tinged stools

Which finding would the nurse associate with the malabsorption of fat?

• Steatorrhea

• increased gastric emptying

• constipation

• pallor

Answer explanation

steatorrhea=oily, smelly stools that often float