Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies Flashcards
7 cards from real CEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies flashcards as text
A patient presents with sudden onset severe right flank pain radiating to the groin, hematuria, and costovertebral angle tenderness. Which imaging study is the gold standard for diagnosis?
Answer: Non-contrast CT scan of abdomen and pelvis
Non-contrast CT scan is the gold standard for nephrolithiasis as it detects all stone types including radiolucent uric acid stones and provides precise anatomical detail without contrast risk.
A patient with acute liver failure develops worsening confusion, decorticate posturing, and papilledema. The most immediately life-threatening complication is:
Answer: Cerebral edema with increased intracranial pressure
Cerebral edema with increased ICP is the leading cause of death in acute liver failure, requiring immediate neurological monitoring and ICP-lowering interventions.
Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for a patient with confirmed small bowel obstruction presenting with abdominal distension and bilious vomiting?
Answer: Insert a nasogastric tube and connect to low intermittent suction
Nasogastric tube insertion with low intermittent suction decompresses the obstructed GI tract, relieves distension, reduces vomiting, and prevents aspiration.
A patient develops profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and low-grade fever 10 days after completing a course of clindamycin. Which pathogen is most likely responsible?
Answer: Clostridioides difficile
C. difficile infection classically follows antibiotic use, which disrupts normal intestinal flora and allows C. difficile to proliferate and produce cytotoxins causing colitis.
A patient presents with scrotal swelling, crepitus on palpation, foul odor, fever of 40°C, and severe pain. The nurse recognizes this as Fournier's gangrene. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Prepare the patient for emergent surgical debridement
Fournier's gangrene is a rapidly progressive polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis requiring emergency surgical debridement as definitive treatment, with broad-spectrum IV antibiotics as adjunct therapy.
Which sign, elicited on abdominal examination, is most specific for peritonitis?
Answer: Rebound tenderness (Blumberg's sign)
Rebound tenderness (Blumberg's sign) — pain that is worse with sudden release of deep pressure than with pressure itself — indicates peritoneal irritation consistent with peritonitis.
A patient with 72 hours of persistent vomiting has ABG results showing pH 7.52, HCO3 32 mEq/L, and labs showing K+ 2.8 mEq/L, Cl- 88 mEq/L. Which IV fluid replacement is most appropriate?
Answer: 0.9% Normal saline with potassium chloride (KCl)
Normal saline with KCl replaces the chloride lost through gastric contents (correcting hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis) and replenishes the hypokalemia caused by prolonged vomiting.