Chapter 42: Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders

Create an illustration of a nurse in a healthcare setting, interacting with a patient discussing gastrointestinal issues, surrounded by medical charts and medications related to GI disorders.

Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders Quiz

Test your knowledge on gastrointestinal tract disorders with this comprehensive quiz designed for healthcare professionals and students alike. The quiz includes 18 multiple-choice questions covering essential topics such as antiemetics, causes of vomiting, treatments for diarrhea, and preventive measures.

Ideal for nurses, medical students, and anyone interested in GI health.
Enhance your understanding of medication management and patient care.
Challenge yourself with scenarios commonly faced in clinical practice.

18 Questions4 MinutesCreated by CaringNurse205

1. A patient who experiences motion sickness when flying asks the nurse the best time to take the medication prescribed to prevent motion sickness for a 0900 flight. The nurse will instruct the patient to take the medication at which time?

A. As needed, at the first sign of nausea

B. At 0700, before leaving for the airport

C. At 0830, just prior to boarding the plane

D. When seated, just prior to takeoff

2. The nurse is caring for a patient who has unexplained, recurrent vomiting and who is unable to keep anything down. Until the cause of the vomiting is determined, the nurse will anticipate administering which medications?

A. Antibiotics and antiemetics

B. Intravenous fluids and electrolytes

C. Nonprescription antiemetics

D. Prescription antiemetics

3. The parent of an 18-month-old toddler calls the clinic to report that the child has vomited 5 times that day. The nurse determines that the child has had three wet diapers in the past 6 hours. What will the nurse recommend for this child?

A. Administering an OTC antiemetic medication such as diphenhydramine

B. Giving frequent, small amounts of Pedialyte

C. Keeping the child NPO until vomiting subsides

D. Taking the child to the emergency department for IV fluids

4. The nurse is teaching a patient who is about to take a long car trip about using dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) to prevent motion sickness. What information is important to include when teaching this patient?

A. “Do not drive while taking this medication.”

B. “Dry mouth is a sign of toxicity with this medication.”

C. “Take the medication 1 to 2 hours prior to beginning the trip.”

D. “Take 100 mg up to 6 times daily for best effect.”

5. The nurse is caring for a patient who has postoperative nausea and vomiting. The surgeon has ordered promethazine HCl (Phenergan). Which aspect of this patient’s health history would be of concern?

A. Asthma

B. Diabetes

C. GERD

D. Glaucoma

6. The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the use of antipsychotic drugs for antiemetic purposes. The nurse will explain that, when given as antiemetics, these drugs are given:

A. In smaller doses.

B. Less frequently.

C. With anticholinergics.

D. With antihistamines.

7. A patient who is receiving chemotherapy will be given dronabinol (Marinol) to prevent nausea and vomiting. The nurse will tell the patient that this drug will be given at which time?

A. Before and after the chemotherapy

B. During chemotherapy

C. Immediately prior to chemotherapy

D. 24 hours prior to chemotherapy

8. A woman who is 2 months pregnant reports having morning sickness every day and asks if she can take any medications to treat this problem. The nurse will recommend that the patient try which intervention first?

A. Discuss a possible need for intravenous fluids with her provider.

B. Contacting the provider to discuss prescribing a prescription antiemetic.

C. Use nonpharmacologic measures, such as eating crackers or dry toast.

D. Take over-the-counter antiemetics such as diphenhydramine.

9. The parent of a child who is receiving chemotherapy asks the nurse why metoclopramide (Reglan) is not being used to suppress vomiting. The nurse will explain that, in children, this drug is more likely to cause which adverse effect?

A. Excess sedation

B. Extrapyramidal symptoms

C. Paralytic ileus

D. Vertigo

10. A child has been prescribed activated charcoal. What is the likely reason this is being ordered?

A. Ingestion of a toxic substance

B. Severe vomiting

C. Nausea

D. Motion sickness

11. A patient asks the nurse about using loperamide (Imodium) to treat infectious diarrhea. Which response will the nurse give?

A. “Loperamide results in many central nervous system (CNS) side effects.”

B. “Loperamide has no effect on infectious diarrhea.”

C. “Loperamide is taken once daily.”

D. “Loperamide can be used to treat diarrheal symptoms but may also slow the exit of the infectious organisms from the GI tract.”

12. A child is brought to the emergency department after ingestion of a toxic substance. The child is alert and conscious and is reported to have ingested kerosene 20 minutes prior. The nurse will anticipate administering

A. Activated charcoal.

B. An anticholinergic antiemetic.

C. Gastric lavage.

D. Syrup of ipecac.

13. A patient who is taking diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) to treat diarrhea asks the nurse why it contains atropine. The nurse will explain that atropine is added, in part, to:

A. Decrease abdominal cramping.

B. Increase intestinal motility.

C. Minimize nausea and vomiting.

D. Provide analgesia.

14. The nurse is caring for an older adult who is receiving diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) to treat severe diarrhea. The nurse will monitor this patient closely for which effect?

A. Bradycardia

B. Fluid retention

C. Urinary incontinence

D. Respiratory depression

15. A patient asks the nurse the best way to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. The nurse will provide which recommendation to the patient?

A. “Ask your provider for prophylactic antibiotics.”

B. “Drink bottled water and eat only well-cooked meats.”

C. “Eat fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.”

D. “Take loperamide (Imodium) every day.”

16. An appropriate goal when teaching a patient who has diarrhea is that the patient:

A. Will have less frequent, more formed stools.

B. Will not have a stool for 1 to 2 days.

C. Will receive adequate intravenous fluids.

D. Will receive appropriate antibiotic therapy.

17. A patient reports having three to four stools, which are sometimes hard, per week. The patient states that this represents less bowel movements than normal for her. The nurse will perform which action?

A. Recommend increased intake of fluids and dietary fiber.

B. Request an order for a stimulant laxative as needed.

C. Request an order for a stool softener.

D. Request an order for magnesium citrate.

18. The nurse is instructing a patient who will take psyllium (Metamucil) to treat constipation. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient?

A. The importance of consuming adequate amounts of water

B. The need to monitor for systemic side effects

C. The onset of action of 30 to 60 minutes after administration

D. The need to use the dry form of Metamucil to prevent cramping

Chapter 42: Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders

Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders Quiz

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