Chapter 21: Gastrointestinal Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures

Chapter 21: Gastrointestinal Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. When assessing the gastrointestinal system, the order of assessment progresses in which of the following?

ANS:  C

To prevent stimulation of gastrointestinal activity, the order for the assessment should be inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.

2. When assessing the abdomen, how long must the nurse listen to the abdomen to be able to accurately chart that bowel sounds are absent?

ANS:  D

Normal bowel sounds include high-pitched, gurgling sounds that occur approximately every 5 to 15 seconds or at a rate of 5 to 34 times per minute. Abnormal findings include the absence of bowel sounds throughout a 5-minute period, extremely soft and widely separated sounds, and increased sounds with a high-pitched, loud rushing sound (peristaltic rush).

3. Which assessment technique is most useful in detecting abdominal pathologic conditions?

ANS:  B

Palpation is the assessment technique that is most useful in detecting abdominal pathologic conditions. Both light and deep palpation of each organ and quadrant should be completed. Deep palpation is most helpful in detecting abdominal masses. Areas in which the patient complains of tenderness should be palpated last.

4. Which of the following findings is considered an abnormal gastrointestinal assessment finding?

ANS:  A

Visible pulsations or peristaltic waves are considered an abnormal assessment finding.

5. Which of the following serum laboratory values is increased in acute pancreatitis?

ANS:  B

Serum amylase will rise with acute pancreatitis. The other values are affected by hepatocellular disease.