PROMOTING BOWEL ELIMINATION 6TH
EDITION EXAM Q&A STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ The nurse has assessed that a patients stool has changed from
brown to dark black and sticky. The nurse suspects:
a. blockage of the bile duct.
b. blockage of the pancreatic duct.
c. recent excessive intake of milk products.
d. presence of occult blood. ANS: D
Occult or old blood is suspected when stool changes from a normal
brown appearance to a dark black color with a sticky appearance.
◉ The nurse has documented that a patient has had two episodes of
steatorrhea, which means that the character of the stool is:
a. hard and clay colored
b. frothy and foul smelling.
c. very liquid and streaked with blood.
d. soft and filled with mucus. ANS: B
Steatorrhea is defined as stools with abnormally high fat content that
are usually frothy, foul smelling, and float on water.
◉ The nurse should plan interventions to combat constipation in a
patient:
, a. being treated for diabetes mellitus.
b. who has a routine order for Metamucil.
c. who just completed barium studies of the bowel.
d. with orders to ambulate with assistance. ANS: C
A patient who is undergoing barium radiograph studies is more prone
to constipation than are the other patients.
◉ An elderly patient who routinely takes the bulk-forming laxative
psyllium (Metamucil) is counseled by the home health nurse that in
order to prevent constipation and possible fecal impaction, this patient
should be sure to take:
a. extra vitamin C.
b. a fat-soluble vitamin.
c. the medication with a large amount of fluid.
d. an over-the-counter antacid. ANS: C
A large amount of fluid should be taken to prevent constipation and
fecal impaction when using a product with psyllium.
◉ A patient calls the nurse at the health clinic and reports that since
his trip to Mexico, he has been experiencing diarrhea. The nurse
suggests he try the antidiarrheal drug:
a. docusate sodium (Colace).
b. loperamide (Imodium).
c. polycarbophil (FiberCon).
d. senna (Senokot). ANS: B
EDITION EXAM Q&A STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ The nurse has assessed that a patients stool has changed from
brown to dark black and sticky. The nurse suspects:
a. blockage of the bile duct.
b. blockage of the pancreatic duct.
c. recent excessive intake of milk products.
d. presence of occult blood. ANS: D
Occult or old blood is suspected when stool changes from a normal
brown appearance to a dark black color with a sticky appearance.
◉ The nurse has documented that a patient has had two episodes of
steatorrhea, which means that the character of the stool is:
a. hard and clay colored
b. frothy and foul smelling.
c. very liquid and streaked with blood.
d. soft and filled with mucus. ANS: B
Steatorrhea is defined as stools with abnormally high fat content that
are usually frothy, foul smelling, and float on water.
◉ The nurse should plan interventions to combat constipation in a
patient:
, a. being treated for diabetes mellitus.
b. who has a routine order for Metamucil.
c. who just completed barium studies of the bowel.
d. with orders to ambulate with assistance. ANS: C
A patient who is undergoing barium radiograph studies is more prone
to constipation than are the other patients.
◉ An elderly patient who routinely takes the bulk-forming laxative
psyllium (Metamucil) is counseled by the home health nurse that in
order to prevent constipation and possible fecal impaction, this patient
should be sure to take:
a. extra vitamin C.
b. a fat-soluble vitamin.
c. the medication with a large amount of fluid.
d. an over-the-counter antacid. ANS: C
A large amount of fluid should be taken to prevent constipation and
fecal impaction when using a product with psyllium.
◉ A patient calls the nurse at the health clinic and reports that since
his trip to Mexico, he has been experiencing diarrhea. The nurse
suggests he try the antidiarrheal drug:
a. docusate sodium (Colace).
b. loperamide (Imodium).
c. polycarbophil (FiberCon).
d. senna (Senokot). ANS: B
