NUR 176 Exam 3 Questions with Correct Answers Pass the Exam,
100% Verified () Graded A+ Duke University
NUR 176 Exam 3 study resource features updated multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed explanations covering gastrointestinal, cardiac,
hematologic, renal, and age-related nursing concepts. Each question is structured for
rapid review and retention, including appendicitis, peritonitis, anemia, sickle cell crisis,
heart failure, digoxin toxicity, and more. This guide is ideal for nursing students
preparing for exams and is formatted for sale on Stuvia and Docsity.
Question 1
A patient with suspected appendicitis reports that their pain has suddenly resolved.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the improvement and continue monitoring
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Administer pain medication as ordered
D. Encourage the patient to eat and drink
Correct Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Explanation: Sudden resolution of pain in a patient with appendicitis may indicate
that the appendix has ruptured. Rupture can lead to peritonitis, a life-threatening
condition requiring immediate surgical evaluation. The nurse should notify the
healthcare provider immediately.
Question 2
What is the priority intervention for a patient with suspected appendicitis?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Place the patient NPO
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
Correct Answer: B. Place the patient NPO
,Explanation: The priority intervention for a patient with suspected appendicitis is
to place the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) to prepare for possible surgical
intervention and reduce the risk of complications if anesthesia is needed. Pain
medications may be given, but fasting is essential.
Question 3
What is peritonitis?
A. Inflammation of the stomach lining
B. Inflammation of the peritoneal lining caused by infection or chemical contamination
C. Inflammation of the gallbladder
D. Inflammation of the pancreas
Correct Answer: B. Inflammation of the peritoneal lining caused by infection or
chemical contamination
Explanation: Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneal lining, which can be
caused by infection or chemical contamination from a perforated organ, trauma,
or post-surgical complications. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, a
rigid "board-like" abdomen, fever, and shock.
Question 4
What are the classic signs and symptoms of peritonitis?
A. Soft, non-tender abdomen
B. Rigid, hard abdomen (board-like abdomen), fever, and tachycardia
C. Decreased temperature and bradycardia
D. Localized right lower quadrant pain
Correct Answer: B. Rigid, hard abdomen (board-like abdomen), fever, and
tachycardia
Explanation: Peritonitis presents with diffuse abdominal pain, a rigid (board-like)
abdomen, fever, and tachycardia. These findings indicate peritoneal irritation and
a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention with IV fluids, NG
tube, antibiotics, and surgery.
Question 5
What is the classic location of pain associated with appendicitis?
A. Left upper quadrant
B. Right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
,C. Left lower quadrant
D. Epigastric region
Correct Answer: B. Right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
Explanation: The classic pain location for appendicitis is the right lower quadrant
at McBurney's point. The pain typically begins as periumbilical discomfort and
migrates to the right lower quadrant as inflammation progresses. Rebound
tenderness may also be present.
Question 6
What should the nurse monitor for in a patient with appendicitis?
A. Decreased white blood cell count
B. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis
Explanation: The nurse should monitor for signs and symptoms of peritonitis,
which include elevated WBC count, RLQ pain, fever, swelling, urinary frequency,
and urgency. These signs indicate that the appendix may have ruptured, requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 7
What is malabsorption?
A. Excessive absorption of nutrients
B. Inability to absorb nutrients properly
C. Increased appetite
D. Rapid gastric emptying
Correct Answer: B. Inability to absorb nutrients properly
Explanation: Malabsorption is the inability to absorb nutrients properly. Causes
include bacterial overgrowth, enzyme deficiency, mucosal disorders, and surgery
(such as gastric bypass). Types include celiac disease and tropical sprue.
Question 8
What is the primary treatment for celiac disease?
, A. Antibiotics
B. Gluten-free diet
C. High-fiber diet
D. Corticosteroids
Correct Answer: B. Gluten-free diet
Explanation: Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten. The primary
treatment is to avoid all gluten-containing foods. This allows the intestinal lining
to heal and symptoms to resolve.
Question 9
Which type of malabsorption is infectious and treated with antibiotics, B12, and iron?
A. Celiac disease
B. Tropical sprue
C. Lactose intolerance
D. Crohn's disease
Correct Answer: B. Tropical sprue
Explanation: Tropical sprue is an infectious type of malabsorption that is treated
with antibiotics, vitamin B12, and iron supplementation. It affects the small
intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Question 10
A patient with Crohn's disease is at risk for which of the following complications?
A. Bloody diarrhea only
B. Fistulas and obstruction
C. Colon cancer only
D. Gastric ulcers
Correct Answer: B. Fistulas and obstruction
Explanation: Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract and is
characterized by skip lesions. Complications include fistulas (abnormal
connections between organs) and bowel obstruction. Ulcerative colitis, by contrast,
affects only the colon and causes bloody diarrhea.
Question 11
Which of the following best describes ulcerative colitis?
100% Verified () Graded A+ Duke University
NUR 176 Exam 3 study resource features updated multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed explanations covering gastrointestinal, cardiac,
hematologic, renal, and age-related nursing concepts. Each question is structured for
rapid review and retention, including appendicitis, peritonitis, anemia, sickle cell crisis,
heart failure, digoxin toxicity, and more. This guide is ideal for nursing students
preparing for exams and is formatted for sale on Stuvia and Docsity.
Question 1
A patient with suspected appendicitis reports that their pain has suddenly resolved.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the improvement and continue monitoring
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Administer pain medication as ordered
D. Encourage the patient to eat and drink
Correct Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Explanation: Sudden resolution of pain in a patient with appendicitis may indicate
that the appendix has ruptured. Rupture can lead to peritonitis, a life-threatening
condition requiring immediate surgical evaluation. The nurse should notify the
healthcare provider immediately.
Question 2
What is the priority intervention for a patient with suspected appendicitis?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Place the patient NPO
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
Correct Answer: B. Place the patient NPO
,Explanation: The priority intervention for a patient with suspected appendicitis is
to place the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) to prepare for possible surgical
intervention and reduce the risk of complications if anesthesia is needed. Pain
medications may be given, but fasting is essential.
Question 3
What is peritonitis?
A. Inflammation of the stomach lining
B. Inflammation of the peritoneal lining caused by infection or chemical contamination
C. Inflammation of the gallbladder
D. Inflammation of the pancreas
Correct Answer: B. Inflammation of the peritoneal lining caused by infection or
chemical contamination
Explanation: Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneal lining, which can be
caused by infection or chemical contamination from a perforated organ, trauma,
or post-surgical complications. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, a
rigid "board-like" abdomen, fever, and shock.
Question 4
What are the classic signs and symptoms of peritonitis?
A. Soft, non-tender abdomen
B. Rigid, hard abdomen (board-like abdomen), fever, and tachycardia
C. Decreased temperature and bradycardia
D. Localized right lower quadrant pain
Correct Answer: B. Rigid, hard abdomen (board-like abdomen), fever, and
tachycardia
Explanation: Peritonitis presents with diffuse abdominal pain, a rigid (board-like)
abdomen, fever, and tachycardia. These findings indicate peritoneal irritation and
a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention with IV fluids, NG
tube, antibiotics, and surgery.
Question 5
What is the classic location of pain associated with appendicitis?
A. Left upper quadrant
B. Right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
,C. Left lower quadrant
D. Epigastric region
Correct Answer: B. Right lower quadrant (McBurney's point)
Explanation: The classic pain location for appendicitis is the right lower quadrant
at McBurney's point. The pain typically begins as periumbilical discomfort and
migrates to the right lower quadrant as inflammation progresses. Rebound
tenderness may also be present.
Question 6
What should the nurse monitor for in a patient with appendicitis?
A. Decreased white blood cell count
B. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis
C. Increased appetite
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis
Explanation: The nurse should monitor for signs and symptoms of peritonitis,
which include elevated WBC count, RLQ pain, fever, swelling, urinary frequency,
and urgency. These signs indicate that the appendix may have ruptured, requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 7
What is malabsorption?
A. Excessive absorption of nutrients
B. Inability to absorb nutrients properly
C. Increased appetite
D. Rapid gastric emptying
Correct Answer: B. Inability to absorb nutrients properly
Explanation: Malabsorption is the inability to absorb nutrients properly. Causes
include bacterial overgrowth, enzyme deficiency, mucosal disorders, and surgery
(such as gastric bypass). Types include celiac disease and tropical sprue.
Question 8
What is the primary treatment for celiac disease?
, A. Antibiotics
B. Gluten-free diet
C. High-fiber diet
D. Corticosteroids
Correct Answer: B. Gluten-free diet
Explanation: Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten. The primary
treatment is to avoid all gluten-containing foods. This allows the intestinal lining
to heal and symptoms to resolve.
Question 9
Which type of malabsorption is infectious and treated with antibiotics, B12, and iron?
A. Celiac disease
B. Tropical sprue
C. Lactose intolerance
D. Crohn's disease
Correct Answer: B. Tropical sprue
Explanation: Tropical sprue is an infectious type of malabsorption that is treated
with antibiotics, vitamin B12, and iron supplementation. It affects the small
intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Question 10
A patient with Crohn's disease is at risk for which of the following complications?
A. Bloody diarrhea only
B. Fistulas and obstruction
C. Colon cancer only
D. Gastric ulcers
Correct Answer: B. Fistulas and obstruction
Explanation: Crohn's disease can affect any part of the GI tract and is
characterized by skip lesions. Complications include fistulas (abnormal
connections between organs) and bowel obstruction. Ulcerative colitis, by contrast,
affects only the colon and causes bloody diarrhea.
Question 11
Which of the following best describes ulcerative colitis?
