NCLEX Questions On Digestive And Gastrointestinal System Disorder

1. Colon cancer is most closely associated with which of the following conditions?

Appendicitis

Hemorrhoids

Hiatal hernia

Ulcerative colitis

Chronic ulcerative colitis. granulomas. and familial polyposis seem to increase a person’s chance of developing colon cancer. The other conditions listed have no known effect on colon cancer risk.

Explanation

Chronic ulcerative colitis. granulomas. and familial polyposis seem to increase a person’s chance of developing colon cancer. The other conditions listed have no known effect on colon cancer risk.

2. Which of the following symptoms is associated with ulcerative colitis?

Dumping syndrome

Rectal bleeding

Soft stools

Fistulas

In ulcerative colitis. rectal bleeding is the predominant symptom. Soft stools are more commonly associated with Crohn’s disease. in which malabsorption is more of a problem. Dumping syndrome occurs after gastric surgeries. Fistulas are associated with Crohn’s disease.

Explanation

In ulcerative colitis. rectal bleeding is the predominant symptom. Soft stools are more commonly associated with Crohn’s disease. in which malabsorption is more of a problem. Dumping syndrome occurs after gastric surgeries. Fistulas are associated with Crohn’s disease.

3. Surgical management of ulcerative colitis may be performed to treat which of the following complications?

Gastritis

Bowel herniation

Bowel outpouching

Bowel perforation

Perforation. obstruction. hemorrhage. and toxic megacolon are common complications of ulcerative colitis that may require surgery. Herniation and gastritis aren’t associated with irritable bowel diseases. and outpouching of the bowel is diverticulosis.

Explanation

Perforation. obstruction. hemorrhage. and toxic megacolon are common complications of ulcerative colitis that may require surgery. Herniation and gastritis aren’t associated with irritable bowel diseases. and outpouching of the bowel is diverticulosis.

4. During the first few days of recovery from ostomy surgery for ulcerative colitis. which of the following aspects should be the first priority of client care?

Body image

Ostomy care

Sexual concerns

Skin care

Although all of these are concerns the nurse should address. being able to safely manage the ostomy is crucial for the client before discharge.

Explanation

Although all of these are concerns the nurse should address. being able to safely manage the ostomy is crucial for the client before discharge.

5. If a client had irritable bowel syndrome. which of the following diagnostic tests would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan

Abdominal x-ray

Barium swallow

Colonoscopy with biopsy

A colonoscopy with biopsy can be performed to determine the state of the colon’s mucosal layers. presence of ulcerations. and level of cytologic development. An abdominal x-ray or CT scan wouldn’t provide the cytologic information necessary to diagnose which disease it is. A barium swallow doesn’t involve the intestine.

Explanation

A colonoscopy with biopsy can be performed to determine the state of the colon’s mucosal layers. presence of ulcerations. and level of cytologic development. An abdominal x-ray or CT scan wouldn’t provide the cytologic information necessary to diagnose which disease it is. A barium swallow doesn’t involve the intestine.

6. Which of the following medications is most effective for treating the pain associated with irritable bowel disease?

Acetaminophen

Opiates

Steroids

Stool softeners

The pain with irritable bowel disease is caused by inflammation. which steroids can reduce. Stool softeners aren’t necessary. Acetaminophen has little effect on the pain. and opiate narcotics won’t treat its underlying cause.

Explanation

The pain with irritable bowel disease is caused by inflammation. which steroids can reduce. Stool softeners aren’t necessary. Acetaminophen has little effect on the pain. and opiate narcotics won’t treat its underlying cause.

7. In a client with Crohn's disease. which of the following symptoms should not be a direct result of antibiotic therapy?

Decrease in bleeding

Decrease in temperature

Decrease in body weight

Decrease in the number of stools

A decrease in body weight may occur during therapy due to inadequate dietary intake. but isn’t related to antibiotic therapy. Effective antibiotic therapy will be noted by a decrease in temperature. number of stools. and bleeding.

Explanation

A decrease in body weight may occur during therapy due to inadequate dietary intake. but isn’t related to antibiotic therapy. Effective antibiotic therapy will be noted by a decrease in temperature. number of stools. and bleeding.

8. Which of the following interventions should be included in the medical management of Crohn's disease?

Increasing oral intake of fiber

Administering laxatives

Using long-term steroid therapy

Increasing physical activity

Management of Crohn’s disease may include long-term steroid therapy to reduce the inflammation associated with the deeper layers of the bowel wall. Other management focuses on bowel rest (not increasing oral intake) and reducing diarrhea with medications (not giving laxatives). The pain associated with Crohn’s disease may require bed rest. not an increase in physical activity.

Explanation

Management of Crohn’s disease may include long-term steroid therapy to reduce the inflammation associated with the deeper layers of the bowel wall. Other management focuses on bowel rest (not increasing oral intake) and reducing diarrhea with medications (not giving laxatives). The pain associated with Crohn’s disease may require bed rest. not an increase in physical activity.

9. Which of the following diets is most commonly associated with colon cancer?

Low-fiber. high fat

Low-fat. high-fiber

Low-protein. high-carbohydrate

Low carbohydrate. high protein

A low-fiber. high-fat diet reduced motility and increases the chance of constipation. The metabolic end products of this type of diet are carcinogenic. A low-fat. high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent colon cancer.

Explanation

A low-fiber. high-fat diet reduced motility and increases the chance of constipation. The metabolic end products of this type of diet are carcinogenic. A low-fat. high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent colon cancer.

10. Which of the following diagnostic tests should be performed annually over age 50 to screen for colon cancer?

Abdominal CT scan

Abdominal x-ray

Colonoscopy

Fecal occult blood test

Surface blood vessels of polyps and cancers are fragile and often bleed with the passage of stools. Abdominal x-ray and CT scan can help establish tumor size and metastasis. A colonoscopy can help locate a tumor as well as polyps. which can be removed before they become malignant.

Explanation

Surface blood vessels of polyps and cancers are fragile and often bleed with the passage of stools. Abdominal x-ray and CT scan can help establish tumor size and metastasis. A colonoscopy can help locate a tumor as well as polyps. which can be removed before they become malignant.