NCLEX QUESTIONS APPENDICITIS
EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Appendicitis in a pregnant woman is a complex problem. Which statement is true based
on the given premise?
A. Appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant women.
B. Appendicitis does not occur in pregnant women.
C. Appendicitis will cause fetal death.
D. A pregnant woman will have surgery postpartum. - Answer-Answer: A
Rationale: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant
women. It can be successfully managed by the surgical and obstetrical teams. A recent
study has found that appendicitis during pregnancy can be managed successfully
without any dangerous fetal outcomes.
A client presents with suspected appendicitis. The nurse should prepare the client for
which collaborative intervention?
A. Chest x-ray
B. Abdominal ultrasound
C. Electrolytes
D. Complete blood count (CBC) - Answer-Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal ultrasound is the most effective test for diagnosing acute
appendicitis. Electrolyte testing provides information relating to the mineral balance in
the body. A CBC would be drawn, but it is not a definitive test to diagnose acute
appendicitis. Chest x-rays are not used to diagnose abdominal conditions.
For which collaborative therapy for peritonitis following a ruptured appendix should the
nurse prepare the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Antibiotics
B. A low-fat, high-calorie diet
C. Passive range of motion
D. Fluid resuscitation
E. Surgery - Answer-Answer: A, D, E
Rationale: Clinical therapies for the treatment of peritonitis include removal of the
ruptured appendix, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation. A low-fat, high-calorie diet and
passive range of motion are not therapies used to treat peritonitis after a ruptured
appendix.
The nurse is caring for a client admitted for a ruptured appendix. Which information
should the nurse expect to provide to this client? (Select all that apply.)
A. A laparotomy will be performed.
B. Intravenous fluids will be provided.
C. Antibiotic medication will be provided before and after the surgery.
, D. Pain medication will be provided after the surgery.
E. A laparoscopic appendectomy will be performed. - Answer-Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: For a ruptured appendix, a laparotomy will be performed. The client will
receive antibiotics before and after the surgery to prevent the development of infection
from fecal contents, which have spilled into the abdominal cavity. Intravenous fluids will
be provided to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Pain medication will be provided
after the surgery. A laparoscopic appendectomy is performed for clients whose
appendix has not ruptured.
Which condition prompts the nurse to recommend a clear liquid diet to a
postappendectomy client?
A. Client denies any nausea
B. Client no longer reports pain
C. Client is afebrile
D. Client's bowel sounds have returned - Answer-Answer: D
Rationale: Once bowel sounds return, a client can begin taking clear fluids. The
postoperative client is expected to be afebrile. Pain will subside as healing continues.
Nausea would be subsided for the client to resume a PO diet, but it is the presence of
bowel sounds that would indicate the gastrointestinal tract's ability to handle digestion.
A client had a laparoscopic appendectomy last night. Which assessment finding should
concern the nurse?
A. Dry wound
B. Adequate fluid intake
C. Pain
D. Fever - Answer-Answer: D
Rationale: Fever would be an indication of a possible infection. Postoperative pain is
expected. Adequate fluid intake and a dry wound are positive recovery signs.
For which intervention are African American children with appendicitis less likely to
receive in the emergency department?
A. IV fluids
B. Adequate pain medication
C. Postoperative teaching
D. Surgical intervention - Answer-Answer: B
Rationale: African American children are less likely to receive adequate medication in
emergency departments for pain during episodes of appendicitis. Nurses should
advocate for appropriate pain management for all clients.
A client with acute appendicitis asks the nurse, "Why don't you give me a heating pad? I
think that will help me with my pain." The nurse's response should be based on which
reason?
A. It increases the need for fluids.
B. It increases the spread of infection.
C. It reduces white blood cell count.
D. It encourages perforation. - Answer-Answer: D
EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Appendicitis in a pregnant woman is a complex problem. Which statement is true based
on the given premise?
A. Appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant women.
B. Appendicitis does not occur in pregnant women.
C. Appendicitis will cause fetal death.
D. A pregnant woman will have surgery postpartum. - Answer-Answer: A
Rationale: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant
women. It can be successfully managed by the surgical and obstetrical teams. A recent
study has found that appendicitis during pregnancy can be managed successfully
without any dangerous fetal outcomes.
A client presents with suspected appendicitis. The nurse should prepare the client for
which collaborative intervention?
A. Chest x-ray
B. Abdominal ultrasound
C. Electrolytes
D. Complete blood count (CBC) - Answer-Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal ultrasound is the most effective test for diagnosing acute
appendicitis. Electrolyte testing provides information relating to the mineral balance in
the body. A CBC would be drawn, but it is not a definitive test to diagnose acute
appendicitis. Chest x-rays are not used to diagnose abdominal conditions.
For which collaborative therapy for peritonitis following a ruptured appendix should the
nurse prepare the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Antibiotics
B. A low-fat, high-calorie diet
C. Passive range of motion
D. Fluid resuscitation
E. Surgery - Answer-Answer: A, D, E
Rationale: Clinical therapies for the treatment of peritonitis include removal of the
ruptured appendix, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation. A low-fat, high-calorie diet and
passive range of motion are not therapies used to treat peritonitis after a ruptured
appendix.
The nurse is caring for a client admitted for a ruptured appendix. Which information
should the nurse expect to provide to this client? (Select all that apply.)
A. A laparotomy will be performed.
B. Intravenous fluids will be provided.
C. Antibiotic medication will be provided before and after the surgery.
, D. Pain medication will be provided after the surgery.
E. A laparoscopic appendectomy will be performed. - Answer-Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: For a ruptured appendix, a laparotomy will be performed. The client will
receive antibiotics before and after the surgery to prevent the development of infection
from fecal contents, which have spilled into the abdominal cavity. Intravenous fluids will
be provided to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Pain medication will be provided
after the surgery. A laparoscopic appendectomy is performed for clients whose
appendix has not ruptured.
Which condition prompts the nurse to recommend a clear liquid diet to a
postappendectomy client?
A. Client denies any nausea
B. Client no longer reports pain
C. Client is afebrile
D. Client's bowel sounds have returned - Answer-Answer: D
Rationale: Once bowel sounds return, a client can begin taking clear fluids. The
postoperative client is expected to be afebrile. Pain will subside as healing continues.
Nausea would be subsided for the client to resume a PO diet, but it is the presence of
bowel sounds that would indicate the gastrointestinal tract's ability to handle digestion.
A client had a laparoscopic appendectomy last night. Which assessment finding should
concern the nurse?
A. Dry wound
B. Adequate fluid intake
C. Pain
D. Fever - Answer-Answer: D
Rationale: Fever would be an indication of a possible infection. Postoperative pain is
expected. Adequate fluid intake and a dry wound are positive recovery signs.
For which intervention are African American children with appendicitis less likely to
receive in the emergency department?
A. IV fluids
B. Adequate pain medication
C. Postoperative teaching
D. Surgical intervention - Answer-Answer: B
Rationale: African American children are less likely to receive adequate medication in
emergency departments for pain during episodes of appendicitis. Nurses should
advocate for appropriate pain management for all clients.
A client with acute appendicitis asks the nurse, "Why don't you give me a heating pad? I
think that will help me with my pain." The nurse's response should be based on which
reason?
A. It increases the need for fluids.
B. It increases the spread of infection.
C. It reduces white blood cell count.
D. It encourages perforation. - Answer-Answer: D
