APPENDICITIS EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The nurse is caring for an adolescent boy who was admitted to the hospital with
appendicitis.
Which assessment finding should the nurse identify as potentiating an emergency while
the patient is awaiting surgery?
ANSWER
Increased pain and a high fever
Pain disappearing and constipation
Vomiting and diarrhea
Rebound tenderness on the McBurney point - Answer-increased pain and a high fever
The nurse is preparing a patient diagnosed with appendicitis for surgery.
The nurse should identify which factor as an advantage of laparoscopic appendectomy?
ANSWER
Shorter hospitalization
Less postoperative pain
Less intravenous fluid used
Reduced need for wound irrigation - Answer-shorter hospitalization
The nurse is preparing a patient for an appendectomy. The patient asks why the doctor
has chosen to perform a laparoscopic appendectomy.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
ANSWER
"This method of surgery results in a shorter hospitalization."
"This method of surgery results in less postoperative pain."
"This method of surgery results in less intravenous fluid used."
"This method of surgery results in reduced need for wound irrigation." - Answer-this
method of surgery results in a shorter hospitalization
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone an appendectomy.
Which patient statement indicates an understanding of the immediate dietary
restrictions postappendectomy?
ANSWER
"I will be drinking water and other clear fluids until I feel better."
"My mother is bringing me a hamburger."
"I can't wait for my friend to get here with a vanilla milkshake."
"I called a delivery service to bring me a burrito." - Answer-I will be drinking water and
other clear fluids until I feel better
, A patient is transferred the post-anesthesia care unit following an appendectomy.
Which assessment should the nurse consider to be the priority?
ANSWER
Respiratory gas exchange
Fluid balance
Pain
Mobility - Answer-respiratory gas exchange
While caring for a patient recovering from an appendectomy, the nurse monitors urine
output, intravenous fluid intake, and the amount of nasogastric drainage.
Which nursing diagnosis is the nurse managing in this patient?
ANSWER
Fluid Volume: Deficient, Risk for
Pain, Acute
Infection, Risk for
Gas Exchange, Impaired - Answer-fluid volume:deficient, risk for
An older adult patient with a ruptured appendix and peritonitis wants to know why her
abdomen is swollen.
Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?
ANSWER
"The contents of the appendix are causing inflammation of the abdominal cavity."
"This health problem causes chronic constipation."
"I really don't know, but I'll ask your healthcare provider to explain it to you."
"All of the fluids that you are ingesting are leaking into the abdominal area." - Answer-
the contents of the appendix are causing inflammation of the abdominal cavity
A pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital for suspected appendicitis.
Which patient statement reflects an understanding of the diagnosis?
ANSWER
"The surgeon and my obstetrician will work together."
"I will not have surgery to remove my appendix."
"My obstetrician will remove my appendix."
"I will have to wait until my baby is born to remove my appendix." - Answer-the surgeon
and my obstetrician will work together
The nurse identifies a possibility for impaired gas exchange as a potential problem for a
patient who is recovering from an appendectomy.
Which intervention should the nurse implement to support this patient's oxygenation
needs?
ANSWER
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The nurse is caring for an adolescent boy who was admitted to the hospital with
appendicitis.
Which assessment finding should the nurse identify as potentiating an emergency while
the patient is awaiting surgery?
ANSWER
Increased pain and a high fever
Pain disappearing and constipation
Vomiting and diarrhea
Rebound tenderness on the McBurney point - Answer-increased pain and a high fever
The nurse is preparing a patient diagnosed with appendicitis for surgery.
The nurse should identify which factor as an advantage of laparoscopic appendectomy?
ANSWER
Shorter hospitalization
Less postoperative pain
Less intravenous fluid used
Reduced need for wound irrigation - Answer-shorter hospitalization
The nurse is preparing a patient for an appendectomy. The patient asks why the doctor
has chosen to perform a laparoscopic appendectomy.
Which response by the nurse is accurate?
ANSWER
"This method of surgery results in a shorter hospitalization."
"This method of surgery results in less postoperative pain."
"This method of surgery results in less intravenous fluid used."
"This method of surgery results in reduced need for wound irrigation." - Answer-this
method of surgery results in a shorter hospitalization
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone an appendectomy.
Which patient statement indicates an understanding of the immediate dietary
restrictions postappendectomy?
ANSWER
"I will be drinking water and other clear fluids until I feel better."
"My mother is bringing me a hamburger."
"I can't wait for my friend to get here with a vanilla milkshake."
"I called a delivery service to bring me a burrito." - Answer-I will be drinking water and
other clear fluids until I feel better
, A patient is transferred the post-anesthesia care unit following an appendectomy.
Which assessment should the nurse consider to be the priority?
ANSWER
Respiratory gas exchange
Fluid balance
Pain
Mobility - Answer-respiratory gas exchange
While caring for a patient recovering from an appendectomy, the nurse monitors urine
output, intravenous fluid intake, and the amount of nasogastric drainage.
Which nursing diagnosis is the nurse managing in this patient?
ANSWER
Fluid Volume: Deficient, Risk for
Pain, Acute
Infection, Risk for
Gas Exchange, Impaired - Answer-fluid volume:deficient, risk for
An older adult patient with a ruptured appendix and peritonitis wants to know why her
abdomen is swollen.
Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?
ANSWER
"The contents of the appendix are causing inflammation of the abdominal cavity."
"This health problem causes chronic constipation."
"I really don't know, but I'll ask your healthcare provider to explain it to you."
"All of the fluids that you are ingesting are leaking into the abdominal area." - Answer-
the contents of the appendix are causing inflammation of the abdominal cavity
A pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital for suspected appendicitis.
Which patient statement reflects an understanding of the diagnosis?
ANSWER
"The surgeon and my obstetrician will work together."
"I will not have surgery to remove my appendix."
"My obstetrician will remove my appendix."
"I will have to wait until my baby is born to remove my appendix." - Answer-the surgeon
and my obstetrician will work together
The nurse identifies a possibility for impaired gas exchange as a potential problem for a
patient who is recovering from an appendectomy.
Which intervention should the nurse implement to support this patient's oxygenation
needs?
ANSWER
