Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing Chapter 47 – Lower GI Problems Exam Review 2026–2027

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Medical-Surgical Nursing Chapter 47 _ Lower GI Problems 2026_2027




Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing
Chapter 47 | Lower GI Problems
2026/2027




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Medical-Surgical Nursing Chapter 47 _ Lower GI Problems 2026_2027

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Which action would the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who is being admitted
with a C. difficile infection?
a. Teach the patient about proper food storage.
b. Order a diet without dairy products for the patient.
c. Place the patient in a private room on contact isolation.
d. Teach the patient about why antibiotics will not be used.


ANS: C Because C. difficile is highly contagious, the patient would be placed in a private
room, and contact precautions would be used. There is no need to restrict dairy products
for this type of diarrhea. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is frequently used to treat C. difficile
infections. Improper food handling and storage do not cause C. difficile




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A 74-yr-old male patient tells the nurse that growing old causes constipation, so he has
been using a suppository to prevent constipation every morning. Which action would the
nurse take first?
a. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluid intake.
b. Question the patient about risk factors for constipation.
c. Suggest that the patient increase intake of high-fiber foods.
d. Teach the patient that a daily bowel movement is unnecessary


ANS: B The nurse's initial action should be further assessment of the patient for risk factors
for constipation and for his usual bowel pattern. The other actions may be appropriate but
will be based on the assessment.




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A patient who has chronic constipation asks the nurse about the use of psyllium (Metamucil).
Which information would the nurse provide?
a. Fiber-containing laxatives may reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
b. Dietary sources of fiber should be eliminated to prevent excessive gas formation.
c. Use of this type of laxative to prevent constipation does not cause adverse effects.
d. Large amounts of fluid should be taken to prevent impaction or bowel obstruction.


ANS: D A high fluid intake is needed when patients are using bulk-forming laxatives to avoid
worsening constipation. Although bulk-forming laxatives are generally safe, the nurse should
emphasize the possibility of constipation or obstipation if inadequate fluid intake occurs.
Although increased gas formation is likely to occur with increased dietary fiber, the patient
should gradually increase dietary fiber and eventually may not need the psyllium. Fat-
soluble vitamin absorption is blocked by stool softeners and lubricants, not by bulk-forming
laxatives.




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