Gastrointestinal Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real MSNCB 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 Nursing flashcards as text
A patient with a new ileostomy reports watery output of 2,500 mL in 24 hours. The nurse's priority action is to:
Answer: Assess for signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
High ileostomy output >2,000 mL/day places the patient at risk for dehydration, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia.
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?
Answer: Serum lipase >3× upper limit of normal
Serum lipase elevated more than three times the upper limit of normal is the most sensitive and specific marker for acute pancreatitis.
A patient with GERD is prescribed omeprazole. The nurse should instruct the patient to take this medication:
Answer: 30–60 minutes before the first meal of the day
Proton pump inhibitors are most effective when taken 30–60 minutes before a meal so the drug is active when acid pumps are stimulated.
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is described as Rovsing's sign?
Answer: Pain in the RLQ when the left lower quadrant is palpated
Rovsing's sign is RLQ pain that occurs when pressure is applied to the left lower quadrant, suggesting peritoneal irritation.
Which diet modification is most appropriate for a patient with diverticulosis (no active diverticulitis)?
Answer: High-fiber diet with adequate fluid intake
A high-fiber diet softens stool and reduces intraluminal pressure, decreasing the risk of diverticular inflammation.
A patient with ulcerative colitis is experiencing a severe flare with 10 bloody stools per day. Which complication should the nurse monitor for most urgently?
Answer: Toxic megacolon
Toxic megacolon is a life-threatening complication of severe ulcerative colitis characterized by colonic dilation and risk of perforation.
A patient recovering from a partial gastrectomy develops diaphoresis, palpitations, and dizziness 20 minutes after eating. The nurse recognizes this as:
Answer: Early dumping syndrome
Early dumping syndrome occurs within 15–30 minutes of eating due to rapid emptying of hyperosmolar chyme into the small intestine.