NCLEX-PN › Gastrointestinal Conditions
The majority of hepatic infections are with which of the following type of microbe?
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Prions
The majority of liver infections are viral in nature. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the most frequent agents of infection, with hepatitis C being the leading cause of liver transplants. Bacterial infections in the liver most commonly take the form of an abscess. Fungal hepatitis and prion infection of the liver are not generally seen.
The majority of hepatic infections are with which of the following type of microbe?
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Prions
The majority of liver infections are viral in nature. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the most frequent agents of infection, with hepatitis C being the leading cause of liver transplants. Bacterial infections in the liver most commonly take the form of an abscess. Fungal hepatitis and prion infection of the liver are not generally seen.
Which of the following bacterial species is responsible for the development of peptic ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus faecalis
Treponema pallidum
Viridans streptococci
Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is the bacterial cause of peptic ulcers. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that frequently causes skin infections along with other conditions such as toxic shock syndrome. Streptococcus faecalis is responsible for many urinary tract infections and contracting Viridans streptococci may result in endocarditis. Treponema pallidum bacteria cause syphilis.
Which of the following bacterial species is responsible for the development of peptic ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus faecalis
Treponema pallidum
Viridans streptococci
Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori is the bacterial cause of peptic ulcers. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that frequently causes skin infections along with other conditions such as toxic shock syndrome. Streptococcus faecalis is responsible for many urinary tract infections and contracting Viridans streptococci may result in endocarditis. Treponema pallidum bacteria cause syphilis.
You are the nurse taking care of a 22-year old female who complains of increased frequency of loose non-bloody, non-mucoid stools for three days. She notes that her eating habits have not changed recently, she has not traveled outside of the United States recently, she has no known sick contacts, no family history of colon cancer, and does not take any medications on a daily basis. She notes that her job has become increasingly stressful over the last five days, and that in the past, when her job or relationships have become stressful, this has triggered abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that is temporarily relieved with bowel movements. She currently is afebrile, with a normal white blood cell count, and vital signs within normal limits. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Ulcerative colitis
Colon cancer
Gluten intolerance
Lactose intolerance
The most likely diagnosis in this patient is "Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)."
IBS is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain or cramps, as well as acute episodes of diarrhea and/or constipation that is often triggered by psychological stressors such as depression or anxiety, or a preceding gastrointestinal infection. IBS is more common in young females than other demographics, and often can be co-morbid with clinical depression or anxiety disorders. Its pathophysiology has not yet been fully characterized. There is no definitive diagnostic test to confirm a diagnosis of IBS, but the lack of blood or mucus in the stool, as well as the lack of a fever or elevated white blood cell count all are consistent with a diagnosis of IBS. Further, in this patient, given that she is a young female whose symptoms for this episode and prior episodes coincided with psychological stressors and resolved with bowel movements and resolution of her stressors, and who also had no fever, elevated white blood cell count, vital sign abnormalities, or concerning historical details (foreign travel, dietary changes, sick contacts), IBS is the most likely diagnosis.
Ulcerative colitis would be more likely to present with recurrent episodes of bloody and/or mucoid diarrhea, as opposed to non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea. Further, given this patient's relationship of symptoms to immediate psychological stressors, her symptoms are more consistent with IBS than ulcerative colitis.
Colon cancer would be an unlikely diagnosis in a young, otherwise healthy patient with no family history of colon cancer. The fact that she is experiencing non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea does not in and of itself provide evidence for colon cancer. Colon cancer may present with occult blood in the stool, melanotic stools, or blood streaked stools, but would be highly, highly unlikely in a healthy young patient.
Gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance are reasonable thoughts when evaluating a young, otherwise healthy patient with non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea. Lactose intolerance would likely present at a younger age though, and the patient's diet reportedly has not changed prior to her diarrhea episodes, which would argue against a dietary etiology of her diarrhea. Further, given the close relationship of her symptoms to acute psychological stressors, IBS is the most fitting diagnosis.
You are the nurse taking care of a 22-year old female who complains of increased frequency of loose non-bloody, non-mucoid stools for three days. She notes that her eating habits have not changed recently, she has not traveled outside of the United States recently, she has no known sick contacts, no family history of colon cancer, and does not take any medications on a daily basis. She notes that her job has become increasingly stressful over the last five days, and that in the past, when her job or relationships have become stressful, this has triggered abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that is temporarily relieved with bowel movements. She currently is afebrile, with a normal white blood cell count, and vital signs within normal limits. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Ulcerative colitis
Colon cancer
Gluten intolerance
Lactose intolerance
The most likely diagnosis in this patient is "Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)."
IBS is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain or cramps, as well as acute episodes of diarrhea and/or constipation that is often triggered by psychological stressors such as depression or anxiety, or a preceding gastrointestinal infection. IBS is more common in young females than other demographics, and often can be co-morbid with clinical depression or anxiety disorders. Its pathophysiology has not yet been fully characterized. There is no definitive diagnostic test to confirm a diagnosis of IBS, but the lack of blood or mucus in the stool, as well as the lack of a fever or elevated white blood cell count all are consistent with a diagnosis of IBS. Further, in this patient, given that she is a young female whose symptoms for this episode and prior episodes coincided with psychological stressors and resolved with bowel movements and resolution of her stressors, and who also had no fever, elevated white blood cell count, vital sign abnormalities, or concerning historical details (foreign travel, dietary changes, sick contacts), IBS is the most likely diagnosis.
Ulcerative colitis would be more likely to present with recurrent episodes of bloody and/or mucoid diarrhea, as opposed to non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea. Further, given this patient's relationship of symptoms to immediate psychological stressors, her symptoms are more consistent with IBS than ulcerative colitis.
Colon cancer would be an unlikely diagnosis in a young, otherwise healthy patient with no family history of colon cancer. The fact that she is experiencing non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea does not in and of itself provide evidence for colon cancer. Colon cancer may present with occult blood in the stool, melanotic stools, or blood streaked stools, but would be highly, highly unlikely in a healthy young patient.
Gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance are reasonable thoughts when evaluating a young, otherwise healthy patient with non-bloody, non-mucoid diarrhea. Lactose intolerance would likely present at a younger age though, and the patient's diet reportedly has not changed prior to her diarrhea episodes, which would argue against a dietary etiology of her diarrhea. Further, given the close relationship of her symptoms to acute psychological stressors, IBS is the most fitting diagnosis.
You are the nurse for a new patient brought to the emergency department for a suspected gastrointestinal bleed. The patient is tachycardic and hypotensive, but conscious, responsive, and breathing spontaneously without any airway trouble. Which of the following is the best initial intervention?
Insert two large-bore peripheral IV's
Prepare to intubate the patient
Administer hydromorphone
Administer lorazepam
Administer warfarin
The correct answer in this question is "Insert two large-bore peripheral IV's."
This is the correct answer because this patient is suffering from a suspected gastrointestinal bleed and based upon the report of the vital signs, he is hemodynamically unstable. In evaluating an emergency/trauma patient, the "ABC's" must be assessed (A= airway, B= breathing, C= circulation). In this patient's case, it is stated that he is responsive and breathing without any issues, indicating that his airway and breathing are both satisfactory. The next issue is his circulation. Given that he has a suspected bleed, and is tachycardic and hypotensive, it is likely that he is losing a significant amount of blood from his bleeding viscera. As such, he may need emergent, rapid fluid and/or blood product resuscitation. The best way to prepare for this immediately is to place two large bore peripheral IV lines, such that resuscitation can be provided through these lines while the rest of the workup and treatment continues. Any delay in placing these lines delays the fluid/blood resuscitation of the patient, which can be dangerous.
At this point, given that the patient has a protected airway and is breathing without issue, intubation would not be indicated. Should his airway or breathing status change, the need can be reassessed.
Administering hydromorphone, a potent opioid, may be necessary if the patient is in a significant amount of pain, but that would not be the most pressing initial concern given that he is hemodynamically unstable.
Administering warfarin, an anticoagulant, would be highly contraindicated in this patient, as he likely has an active gastrointestinal bleed and is hemodynamically unstable.
Administering lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, is not indicated in this hemodynamically unstable patient with a suspected gastrointestinal bleed. After stabilization and continued demonstration of airway protection, if the patient is anxious, this need can be reassessed.
You are the nurse for a new patient brought to the emergency department for a suspected gastrointestinal bleed. The patient is tachycardic and hypotensive, but conscious, responsive, and breathing spontaneously without any airway trouble. Which of the following is the best initial intervention?
Insert two large-bore peripheral IV's
Prepare to intubate the patient
Administer hydromorphone
Administer lorazepam
Administer warfarin
The correct answer in this question is "Insert two large-bore peripheral IV's."
This is the correct answer because this patient is suffering from a suspected gastrointestinal bleed and based upon the report of the vital signs, he is hemodynamically unstable. In evaluating an emergency/trauma patient, the "ABC's" must be assessed (A= airway, B= breathing, C= circulation). In this patient's case, it is stated that he is responsive and breathing without any issues, indicating that his airway and breathing are both satisfactory. The next issue is his circulation. Given that he has a suspected bleed, and is tachycardic and hypotensive, it is likely that he is losing a significant amount of blood from his bleeding viscera. As such, he may need emergent, rapid fluid and/or blood product resuscitation. The best way to prepare for this immediately is to place two large bore peripheral IV lines, such that resuscitation can be provided through these lines while the rest of the workup and treatment continues. Any delay in placing these lines delays the fluid/blood resuscitation of the patient, which can be dangerous.
At this point, given that the patient has a protected airway and is breathing without issue, intubation would not be indicated. Should his airway or breathing status change, the need can be reassessed.
Administering hydromorphone, a potent opioid, may be necessary if the patient is in a significant amount of pain, but that would not be the most pressing initial concern given that he is hemodynamically unstable.
Administering warfarin, an anticoagulant, would be highly contraindicated in this patient, as he likely has an active gastrointestinal bleed and is hemodynamically unstable.
Administering lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, is not indicated in this hemodynamically unstable patient with a suspected gastrointestinal bleed. After stabilization and continued demonstration of airway protection, if the patient is anxious, this need can be reassessed.
What foods must be avoided in Celiac disease?
Foods containing gluten
Foods containing dairy
Foods containing wheat
Foods containing oat
Foots containing red meat
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. A wheat-free diet is not sufficient for a patient with Celiac disease, as many other products contain elements of barley or rye and thus also contain gluten.
Oat, while often avoided by individuals with Celiac disease due to cross-contamination during processing, does not contain gluten. Whole dairy products are also generally gluten-free and considered safe for patients with Celiac disease.
What foods must be avoided in Celiac disease?
Foods containing gluten
Foods containing dairy
Foods containing wheat
Foods containing oat
Foots containing red meat
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. A wheat-free diet is not sufficient for a patient with Celiac disease, as many other products contain elements of barley or rye and thus also contain gluten.
Oat, while often avoided by individuals with Celiac disease due to cross-contamination during processing, does not contain gluten. Whole dairy products are also generally gluten-free and considered safe for patients with Celiac disease.