11) Thirty-year-old Mrs. Shelley was diagnosed with cancer of the colon requiring a bowel resection and formation of a colostomy. Which of the following instructions will assist her in taking care of her colostomy?

A) Change the drainage pouch daily

B) Loose clothing will be needed now that a pouch is worn

C) Stick a pin into the drainage pouch to relieve any gas buildup

D) Secure the faceplate to the drainage pouch so no skin around the stoma is exposed

12) Which of the following assessment skills would the RN perform first when examining Beatrice for fecal elimination problems?

A) Auscultation

B) Inspection

C) Palpation

D) Percussion

13) Mrs. Beatty has been hospitalized to determine the cause of her right-sided epigastric pain. Which of the following assessment data would indicate compromised gastrointestinal function?

A) Bowel sounds active in all four quadrants

B) Clay colour stool

C) Increased appetite

D) Semisolid and moist stool

14) Which of the following suggestions by the nurse would assist Mr. Adamson to maintain a normal fecal elimination pattern?

A) Drink two to four glasses of water daily

B) Include more spicy foods and sugar in the diet

C) Include more whole grains in the diet

D) Use enemas as necessary

15) Mr. Adamson is booked for a colonoscopy and requires a cleansing enema. What information does the nurse provide Mr. Adamson before administering the enema?

A) Hold the solution for a short time

B) Lie in the left lateral position

C) Lie in the right lateral position

D) Take quick breaths in through the nose

16) Mrs. Ramone has a problem with constipation and requires a cleansing enema. What action is expected of a hypertonic solution enema like sodium phosphate?

A) It exerts osmotic pressure and draws fluid from the interstitial space into the colon.

B) It exerts a lower osmotic pressure than the surrounding interstitial fluid.

C) It exerts the same osmotic pressure as the interstitial fluid surrounding the colon.

D) It stimulates peristalsis by increasing the volume in the colon and irritating the colon.

17) Which of the following findings is indicative of fecal impaction?

A) Loss of desire to defecate

B) Constipation with liquid fecal seepage

C) Absence of stool upon digital rectal exam

D) Alternating patterns of normal stool and diarrhea

18) The nurse is collecting a stool specimen from a bedpan. Which of the following actions are indicated?

A) Wear sterile gloves and use a sterile specimen cup

B) Take the specimen to the laboratory at the end of the shift

C) Avoid contaminating the outside of the container with feces

D) Wear gloves, use a paper towel to remove and transfer the feces to the specimen cup

19) The nurse has taught Mr. Johnson about measures to relieve his constipation. Which of the following outcome criteria is most appropriate for Mr. Johnson?

A) He will remain free of flatulence.

B) He will remain free of perianal irritation.

C) He will use biscodyl daily to manage his constipation.

D) He will eat a diet that includes fibre and 8 to 10 glasses of fluid daily.

20) Mrs. Beauvert comes to the clinic with her 1-month-old infant. She tells the nurse that she is going to have to stop breast-feeding her daughter because her baby’s stools are yellow. What is the nurse’s best response?

A) “You are correct. Let’s discuss this problem with your doctor.”

B) “You really don’t need to worry. It is normal for the baby’s stools to be that colour.”

C) “Do you feel that because your baby’s stools are yellow that you are not providing adequate nutrition for her?”

D) “Yellow stools are normal in infants. Is there any other reason you feel you should quit breast-feeding?”