NR 574 / NR574 Acute Care Practicum I (Latest 2025 /
2026 Update) – Chamberlain University Test Bank |
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 100% Correct | Grade A+ |
Comprehensive Study Guide | Pass with Confidence
1. What does barium contrast do within the body with a bowel obstruction?
• A) It helps identify the obstruction site
• B) It should NEVER be given orally until obstruction is excluded
• C) It is the preferred imaging method
• D) It dissolves the obstruction
Rationale: Barium should NEVER be given orally until the diagnosis of
obstruction has been excluded completely, as retained barium can cause
concretions which create an additional source of blockage requiring surgical
intervention. Retained barium also severely limits the ability to interpret
subsequent imaging.
2. What is the initial treatment for a bowel obstruction?
• A) NG tube placement (intermittent suction), fluid resuscitation, and
electrolyte management
• B) Immediate surgical intervention
• C) Oral contrast administration
• D) Antibiotics only
Rationale: Treatment includes general surgery consult, NG tube for
decompression, fluid resuscitation, and electrolyte management. Complete
obstruction requires immediate surgical intervention.
3. Which type of obstruction requires immediate surgical intervention?
• A) Partial obstruction
, • B) Complete obstruction
• C) Adhesive obstruction
• D) All obstructions
Rationale: Complete obstruction is a surgical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
4. Which of the following is a risk factor for acute intestinal obstruction?
• A) Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery
• B) Caffeine consumption
• C) Regular exercise
• D) Low-fat diet
Rationale: Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery are the most common
cause of small bowel obstruction. Other risk factors include hernias, foreign
bodies, inflammatory bowel disease, neoplasms, and volvulus.
5. What is the subjective finding most commonly associated with acute
intestinal obstruction?
• A) Colicky abdominal pain, cramping periumbilical pain initially
• B) Constant, sharp pain
• C) Painless abdominal distention
• D) Epigastric burning pain
Rationale: Colicky abdominal pain (cramping periumbilical pain initially, later
becoming constant and diffuse) is characteristic. Abdominal pain is often more
severe with distal obstruction.
6. What objective finding is associated with bowel obstruction?
• A) High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds
• B) Absent bowel sounds
• C) Normal bowel sounds
• D) Borborygmi
,Rationale: High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds may be present early in
obstruction. Bowel sounds may become hypoactive or absent with complete
obstruction.
7. Which diagnostic imaging should be used for bowel obstruction?
• A) Plain film x-ray
• B) CT scan with contrast
• C) MRI
• D) Ultrasound
Rationale: Plain film x-ray is the initial imaging study for suspected bowel
obstruction, showing dilated loops of bowel and air-fluid levels.
8. What will a plain film x-ray show in a patient with a bowel obstruction?
• A) Dilated loops of bowel and visible air-fluid levels
• B) Normal bowel gas pattern
• C) Calcifications in the bowel wall
• D) Free air under the diaphragm
Rationale: Obstruction will reveal dilated loops of bowel and visible air-fluid
levels which should prompt further studies. A horizontal pattern of dilated small
bowel loops can be seen with small bowel obstruction.
9. Should barium contrast be given to a patient with a bowel obstruction?
• A) Yes, to identify the obstruction site
• B) No, it is contraindicated
• C) Only if the patient is asymptomatic
• D) Only in partial obstructions
Rationale: Imaging studies requiring administration of barium are contraindicated
in cases of high-grade or complete obstruction.
10. Which of the following is a key component of the history for a patient with
suspected obstruction?
• A) Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
, • B) Family history of colon cancer
• C) Medication list
• D) Dietary history
Rationale: History should include essential elements such as previous abdominal
or pelvic surgery, comorbid conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or
malignancy.
11. RLQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
• A) Appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, nephrolithiasis
• B) Cholecystitis, hepatitis
• C) Pancreatitis, PNA
• D) Diverticulitis, IBS
Rationale: Right lower quadrant pain differentials include appendicitis, ectopic
pregnancy, and nephrolithiasis.
12. RUQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
• A) Cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, PNA/empyema
• B) Appendicitis
• C) Diverticulitis
• D) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Right upper quadrant pain is associated with cholecystitis, pancreatitis
(referred pain), pneumonia/empyema, and hepatitis.
13. LUQ pain is a red flag for which condition?
• A) Cholecystitis
• B) Pancreatitis
• C) Appendicitis
• D) Diverticulitis
Rationale: Left upper quadrant pain is a red flag for pancreatitis.
14. LLQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
2026 Update) – Chamberlain University Test Bank |
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 100% Correct | Grade A+ |
Comprehensive Study Guide | Pass with Confidence
1. What does barium contrast do within the body with a bowel obstruction?
• A) It helps identify the obstruction site
• B) It should NEVER be given orally until obstruction is excluded
• C) It is the preferred imaging method
• D) It dissolves the obstruction
Rationale: Barium should NEVER be given orally until the diagnosis of
obstruction has been excluded completely, as retained barium can cause
concretions which create an additional source of blockage requiring surgical
intervention. Retained barium also severely limits the ability to interpret
subsequent imaging.
2. What is the initial treatment for a bowel obstruction?
• A) NG tube placement (intermittent suction), fluid resuscitation, and
electrolyte management
• B) Immediate surgical intervention
• C) Oral contrast administration
• D) Antibiotics only
Rationale: Treatment includes general surgery consult, NG tube for
decompression, fluid resuscitation, and electrolyte management. Complete
obstruction requires immediate surgical intervention.
3. Which type of obstruction requires immediate surgical intervention?
• A) Partial obstruction
, • B) Complete obstruction
• C) Adhesive obstruction
• D) All obstructions
Rationale: Complete obstruction is a surgical emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
4. Which of the following is a risk factor for acute intestinal obstruction?
• A) Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery
• B) Caffeine consumption
• C) Regular exercise
• D) Low-fat diet
Rationale: Adhesions from previous abdominal surgery are the most common
cause of small bowel obstruction. Other risk factors include hernias, foreign
bodies, inflammatory bowel disease, neoplasms, and volvulus.
5. What is the subjective finding most commonly associated with acute
intestinal obstruction?
• A) Colicky abdominal pain, cramping periumbilical pain initially
• B) Constant, sharp pain
• C) Painless abdominal distention
• D) Epigastric burning pain
Rationale: Colicky abdominal pain (cramping periumbilical pain initially, later
becoming constant and diffuse) is characteristic. Abdominal pain is often more
severe with distal obstruction.
6. What objective finding is associated with bowel obstruction?
• A) High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds
• B) Absent bowel sounds
• C) Normal bowel sounds
• D) Borborygmi
,Rationale: High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds may be present early in
obstruction. Bowel sounds may become hypoactive or absent with complete
obstruction.
7. Which diagnostic imaging should be used for bowel obstruction?
• A) Plain film x-ray
• B) CT scan with contrast
• C) MRI
• D) Ultrasound
Rationale: Plain film x-ray is the initial imaging study for suspected bowel
obstruction, showing dilated loops of bowel and air-fluid levels.
8. What will a plain film x-ray show in a patient with a bowel obstruction?
• A) Dilated loops of bowel and visible air-fluid levels
• B) Normal bowel gas pattern
• C) Calcifications in the bowel wall
• D) Free air under the diaphragm
Rationale: Obstruction will reveal dilated loops of bowel and visible air-fluid
levels which should prompt further studies. A horizontal pattern of dilated small
bowel loops can be seen with small bowel obstruction.
9. Should barium contrast be given to a patient with a bowel obstruction?
• A) Yes, to identify the obstruction site
• B) No, it is contraindicated
• C) Only if the patient is asymptomatic
• D) Only in partial obstructions
Rationale: Imaging studies requiring administration of barium are contraindicated
in cases of high-grade or complete obstruction.
10. Which of the following is a key component of the history for a patient with
suspected obstruction?
• A) Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
, • B) Family history of colon cancer
• C) Medication list
• D) Dietary history
Rationale: History should include essential elements such as previous abdominal
or pelvic surgery, comorbid conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or
malignancy.
11. RLQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
• A) Appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, nephrolithiasis
• B) Cholecystitis, hepatitis
• C) Pancreatitis, PNA
• D) Diverticulitis, IBS
Rationale: Right lower quadrant pain differentials include appendicitis, ectopic
pregnancy, and nephrolithiasis.
12. RUQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
• A) Cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, PNA/empyema
• B) Appendicitis
• C) Diverticulitis
• D) Ectopic pregnancy
Rationale: Right upper quadrant pain is associated with cholecystitis, pancreatitis
(referred pain), pneumonia/empyema, and hepatitis.
13. LUQ pain is a red flag for which condition?
• A) Cholecystitis
• B) Pancreatitis
• C) Appendicitis
• D) Diverticulitis
Rationale: Left upper quadrant pain is a red flag for pancreatitis.
14. LLQ pain is a red flag for which conditions?
