Chapter 48: Assessment of the
Gastrointestinal System
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An older adult has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens, since
the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What response by
the nurse is best?
a. “Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.”
b. “Perhaps you don’t need as high a dose of the drug as before.”
c. “Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly.”
d. “Your body probably can’t tolerate as much medication anymore.”
ANS: A
Decreased liver enzyme activity depresses drug metabolism, which leads to
accumulation of drugs—possibly to toxic levels. The other options do not accurately
explain this age-related change.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Changes associated with aging
MSC: Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. To promote comfort and the passage of flatus after a colonoscopy, in what position
does the nurse place the client?
a. Left lateral
b. Prone
c. Right lateral
, d. Supine
ANS: A
After colonoscopy, clients have less discomfort and quicker passage of flatus when
placed in the left lateral position.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Diagnostic tests
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and
Comfort
3. A nurse is assessing a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique would the nurse use to assess this client’s abdomen?
a. Auscultate after palpating.
b. Avoid any type of palpation.
c. Lightly palpate the RUQ first.
d. Lightly palpate the RUQ last.
ANS: D
If pain is present in a certain area of the abdomen, that area would be palpated last to
keep the client from tensing which could possibly affect the rest of the examination.
Auscultation of the abdomen occurs prior to palpation.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Physical assessment MSC:
Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. The nurse knows that a client with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) values (not
related to medication) probably has dysfunction in which organ?
a. Kidneys
b. Liver
c. Spleen
Gastrointestinal System
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An older adult has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens, since
the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What response by
the nurse is best?
a. “Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.”
b. “Perhaps you don’t need as high a dose of the drug as before.”
c. “Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly.”
d. “Your body probably can’t tolerate as much medication anymore.”
ANS: A
Decreased liver enzyme activity depresses drug metabolism, which leads to
accumulation of drugs—possibly to toxic levels. The other options do not accurately
explain this age-related change.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Changes associated with aging
MSC: Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. To promote comfort and the passage of flatus after a colonoscopy, in what position
does the nurse place the client?
a. Left lateral
b. Prone
c. Right lateral
, d. Supine
ANS: A
After colonoscopy, clients have less discomfort and quicker passage of flatus when
placed in the left lateral position.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Diagnostic tests
MSC: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and
Comfort
3. A nurse is assessing a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique would the nurse use to assess this client’s abdomen?
a. Auscultate after palpating.
b. Avoid any type of palpation.
c. Lightly palpate the RUQ first.
d. Lightly palpate the RUQ last.
ANS: D
If pain is present in a certain area of the abdomen, that area would be palpated last to
keep the client from tensing which could possibly affect the rest of the examination.
Auscultation of the abdomen occurs prior to palpation.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Gastrointestinal assessment, Physical assessment MSC:
Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. The nurse knows that a client with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) values (not
related to medication) probably has dysfunction in which organ?
a. Kidneys
b. Liver
c. Spleen
