Health Assessment : Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System Study Guides
A 50-year-old patient asks how he can reduce the risk of colon cancer. What is the most appropriate response
by the nurse?
a. "A diet high in animal protein reduces the risk"
b. "Regular exercise to reduce body fat helps prevent colon cancer"
c. "Taking antacids for heartburn can help prevent colon cancer"
d. "Taking vitamin C daily helps reduce the risk" - ansb. "Regular exercise to reduce body fat helps prevent
colon cancer"
A 75-year-old male patient asks how to reduce his risk of esophageal cancer. What is the nurse's most
appropriate response?
a. "Don't worry about it, esophageal cancers have a low incidence in men."
b. "You should not be concerned about esophageal cancer at your age."
c. "You should consider limiting your alcohol intake to two drinks per day."
d. "Increasing the fiber and protein in your diet can help you lower your risk." - ansc. "You should consider
limiting your alcohol intake to two drinks per day."
A nurse expects which finding when assessing the abdomen of a patient who has been unable to void for 12
hours?
a. Absent bowel sounds
b. Hyperactive bowel sounds
c. Tympanic tones over the lower abdomen
d. Dull tones over the suprapubic area - ansd. Dull tones over the suprapubic area
A nurse inspects the abdomen for skin color, surface characteristics, and surface movement. What part of the
abdominal assessment does the nurse perform next?
, a. Palpate lightly for tenderness and muscle tone.
b. Auscultation for bowel sounds
c. Palpate deeply for masses or aortic pulsation.
d. Percuss for tones. - ansb. Auscultation for bowel sounds
A nurse notices abdominal distention when inspecting a patient's abdomen. What action does the nurse take
next to gain further objective data?
a. Place a measuring tape around the superior iliac crests.
b. Assist the patient to turn on to the left side and then the right side.
c. Ask the patient to cough while lying supine.
d. Use the fingertips to sharply strike one side of the abdomen. - ansa. Place a measuring tape around the
superior iliac crests.
A nurse performing an abdominal examination on a 37-year-old woman would document which findings as
abnormal?
a. Nonpalpable speen or kidneys
b. Bowel sounds every 15 seconds in the lower quadrants
c. Buldges observed when coughing
d. Silver-white striae and a faint vascular network - ansc. Buldges observed when coughing
A nurse suspects appendicitis in a patient with abdominal pain. Which findings are suggestive of appendicitis?
Select all that apply.
a. Pain radiating to the right shoulder
b. Pain around the umbilicus
A 50-year-old patient asks how he can reduce the risk of colon cancer. What is the most appropriate response
by the nurse?
a. "A diet high in animal protein reduces the risk"
b. "Regular exercise to reduce body fat helps prevent colon cancer"
c. "Taking antacids for heartburn can help prevent colon cancer"
d. "Taking vitamin C daily helps reduce the risk" - ansb. "Regular exercise to reduce body fat helps prevent
colon cancer"
A 75-year-old male patient asks how to reduce his risk of esophageal cancer. What is the nurse's most
appropriate response?
a. "Don't worry about it, esophageal cancers have a low incidence in men."
b. "You should not be concerned about esophageal cancer at your age."
c. "You should consider limiting your alcohol intake to two drinks per day."
d. "Increasing the fiber and protein in your diet can help you lower your risk." - ansc. "You should consider
limiting your alcohol intake to two drinks per day."
A nurse expects which finding when assessing the abdomen of a patient who has been unable to void for 12
hours?
a. Absent bowel sounds
b. Hyperactive bowel sounds
c. Tympanic tones over the lower abdomen
d. Dull tones over the suprapubic area - ansd. Dull tones over the suprapubic area
A nurse inspects the abdomen for skin color, surface characteristics, and surface movement. What part of the
abdominal assessment does the nurse perform next?
, a. Palpate lightly for tenderness and muscle tone.
b. Auscultation for bowel sounds
c. Palpate deeply for masses or aortic pulsation.
d. Percuss for tones. - ansb. Auscultation for bowel sounds
A nurse notices abdominal distention when inspecting a patient's abdomen. What action does the nurse take
next to gain further objective data?
a. Place a measuring tape around the superior iliac crests.
b. Assist the patient to turn on to the left side and then the right side.
c. Ask the patient to cough while lying supine.
d. Use the fingertips to sharply strike one side of the abdomen. - ansa. Place a measuring tape around the
superior iliac crests.
A nurse performing an abdominal examination on a 37-year-old woman would document which findings as
abnormal?
a. Nonpalpable speen or kidneys
b. Bowel sounds every 15 seconds in the lower quadrants
c. Buldges observed when coughing
d. Silver-white striae and a faint vascular network - ansc. Buldges observed when coughing
A nurse suspects appendicitis in a patient with abdominal pain. Which findings are suggestive of appendicitis?
Select all that apply.
a. Pain radiating to the right shoulder
b. Pain around the umbilicus
