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Appendicitis Exam Questions with Complete Solutions
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Appendicitis Exam Questions with Complete Solutions
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Appendicitis Exam Questions withComplete Solutions
"A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. When assessing the
abdomen, the nurse would expect to find rebound tenderness at which location?
a) Left lower quadrant
b) Left upper quadrant
c) Right upper quadrant
d) Right lower quadrant - Answer-Correct answer: d) Right lower quadrant
Rationale: The pain of acute appendicitis localizes in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) at
McBurney's point, an area midway between the umbilicus and the right iliac crest. Often,
the pain is worse when manual pressure near the region is suddenly released, a
condition called rebound tenderness.
The nurse is monitoring a client diagnosed with appendicitis who is scheduled for
surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increased abdominal pain and
begns to vomit. On assessment, the nurse notes that the abdomen is distended and
bowel sounds are diminished. Which is the appropriate nursing intervention?
1. Notify the Physician
2. Administer the prescribed pain medication
3. Call and ask the operating room team to perform the surgery as soon as possible
4. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on warm setting to the client's abdomen
- Answer-Correct answer: 1
Rationale:
1. Based on the assessment information the nurse should suspect peritonitis, a
complication that is associated with appendicitis, and notify the physician.
2. Administering pain medication is not an appropriate intervention
3. Scheduling surgical time is not within the scope of practice of an RN.
4. Heat should never be applied to the abdomen of a patient suspected of having
peritonitis because of the risk of rupture."
A client with acute appendicitis develops a fever, tachycardia, and
hypotension. Based on these assessment findings, the nurse should
further assess the client for which of the following complications?
1. Deficient fluid volume.
2. Intestinal obstruction.
3. Bowel ischemia.
4. Peritonitis - Answer-Correct answer: 4
, Rationale:
Complications of acute appendicitis are perforation, peritonitis, and abscess
development. Signs of the development of peritonitis include abdominal pain and
distention, tachycardia, tachypnea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Because peritonitis can
cause hypovolemic shock, hypotension can develop. Deficient fluid volume would not
cause a fever. Intestinal obstruction would cause abdominal distention, diminished or
absent
bowel sounds, and abdominal pain. Bowel ischemia has signs and symptoms similar to
those found with intestinal obstruction.
A client complains of severe pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. To assist
with pain relief, the nurse should take which of the following actions?
1. Encourage the client to change positions frequently in bed
2. Massage the right lower quadrant fo the abdomen
3. Apply warmth to the abdomen with a heating pad
4. Use comfort measures and pillows to position the client - Answer-Correct answer: 4
Rationale:
1. Unnecesary movement will increase pain and should be avoided
2. If appendicitis is suspected, massage or palpation should never be performed as
these actions may cause the appendix to rupture
3. If pain is caused by appendicitis, increased circulation from the heat may cause
appendix to rupture
4. CORRECT: These are non-pharmacological methods of pain relief
Which of the following would confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis?
A. The pain is localized at a position halfway between the umbilicus and the right iliac
crest.
B. The patient describes the pain as occurring 2 hours after eating
C. The pain subsides after eating
D. The pain is in the left lower quadrant - Answer-Correct A
Rationale:
Pain over McBurney's point, the point halfway between the umbilicus and the iliac crest,
is diagnostic for appendicitis.
Which client requires immediate nursing intervention? The client who:
a) complains of epigastric pain after eating.
b) complains of anorexia and periumbilical pain.
c) presents with ribbonlike stools.
d) presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale:
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