CMSRN Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Care 3

Question 1

A patient returns to the unit after a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy). Which complication should the nurse be most vigilant for in the first 24 postoperative hours?

Accepted Answer

Anastomotic leak and hemorrhage

Answer

Anastomotic leak and hemorrhage are the most serious early life-threatening complications of the Whipple procedure due to the extensive resection and multiple bowel anastomoses.

Question 2

A patient with a nasogastric tube on low suction reports nausea and abdominal cramping. What is the nurse's first action?

Accepted Answer

Verify tube placement and patency

Answer

Verifying NG tube placement and patency is the priority because a misplaced or occluded tube will not drain gastric contents, directly causing the reported symptoms.

Question 3

Following a right hemicolectomy, which assessment finding best indicates the return of bowel function?

Accepted Answer

Passage of flatus

Answer

Passage of flatus is the earliest reliable indicator that peristalsis has returned following bowel surgery and is the standard marker for resuming oral intake.

Question 4

A patient with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) asks about dietary modifications to reduce symptoms. Which recommendation has the strongest evidence base?

Accepted Answer

Follow a low-FODMAP diet

Answer

The low-FODMAP diet, which restricts fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, has the strongest clinical evidence for reducing IBS symptoms.

Question 5

A patient post-gastric bypass surgery is being discharged. Which dietary teaching is most important to prevent dumping syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Eat small, frequent meals and avoid concentrated sweets

Answer

Small frequent meals and eliminating concentrated sweets prevent rapid gastric emptying that triggers early and late dumping syndrome after gastric bypass.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Care 3