Stan Checketts
The nurse is aware that the most common cause of small bowel obstruction is
which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-Adhesions
Rationale: most bowel, obstructions occur in the small intestine. Adhesions are
the most common cause of small bowel obstruction, followed by hernias and
neoplasms. Volvulus (twisting of the bowel) is another cause, but it is not the
most common.
The nurse is aware that untreated small bowel obstruction can progress to which
type of shock? - CORRECT ANSWER-Hypovolemic
Rationale: the vomiting that accompanies small bowel obstruction can lead to
acute fluid losses, which can lead to hypovolemic shock. Hypovolemia can occur
from the fluids shifts related to the edema and congestion occurring in the bowel.
The nurse anticipated that the initial treatment for small bowel obstruction will
involve which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-decompression of bowel
via nasogastric (NG) tube
Rationale: decompression of the bowel through a NG tube is necessary for all
clients with small bowel obstruction to relieve the pressure and calm the
intestine.
The initial symptom of abdominal pain described by the client in which of the
following ways would lead the nurse to suspect a small bowel obstruction? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Colicky, crampy
Rationale: the initial symptom is usually crampy pain that is wavelike and colicky
due to persistent peristalsis both above and below the blockage.
A client with abdominal distention experiences reflux vomiting, which the nurse
knows can lead to which of the following acid-base disturbances? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: the reflux vomiting results in the loss of hydrogen ions and potassium
from the stomach, leading to reduction of the serum electrolytes chloride and
potassium in the blood and causing metabolic alkalosis.
Potassium chloride may be administered in the client with small bowel
obstruction and dehydration to correct hypokalemia. The nurse knows that a
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