An adult client presents with gnawing epigastric pain. The pain is worse when the client is hungry and abates after eating something. Which problem do these symptoms suggest?

Esophagitis.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

Chronic pancreatitis.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

The symptoms described, including gnawing epigastric pain that worsens when hungry and improves after eating, are classic manifestations of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Peptic ulcers are erosions in the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The pain typically occurs when the stomach is empty and is relieved by food intake due to the buffering effect of food on gastric acid. This pattern of pain is known as "hunger pain" or "meal-related pain" and is characteristic of PUD.

A. Esophagitis:
Esophagitis refers to inflammation of the esophagus, often due to reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Symptoms may include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain, but the pain is typically not related to hunger and food intake as described in the scenario.

C. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD):
GERD involves the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. While GERD can cause epigastric discomfort, the described pattern of pain worsening with hunger and improving after eating is more indicative of PUD.

D. Chronic pancreatitis:
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation and irreversible damage to the pancreas, leading to persistent abdominal pain, often radiating to the back. While epigastric pain is a feature of chronic pancreatitis, the relief of pain after eating is not typically seen, making it less likely in this scenario.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

B. Cardiac enlargement:
This is the most likely interpretation of the findings. A significant area of dullness across a larger portion of the chest, as described, suggests that the heart is enlarged (cardiomegaly). Enlargement of the heart may result from various conditions, such as heart failure, hypertension, or valvular disease, leading to increased cardiac size and the shift in the percussion borders. This could indicate that the heart has expanded beyond its normal anatomical limits, and further assessment, such as imaging, would be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

A. Obese, serious threat to well-being. B. Appropriate weight for height, good general health. C. Extreme obesity, at risk for multiple co-morbidities. D. Undernutrition, at risk for malnutrition.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Obese, serious threat to well-being: A BMI of 32 kg/m² places the client in the category of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Obesity is a significant health concern associated with increased risks for various conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. The client's BMI indicates that she is obese, which poses a serious threat to her overall well-being and health.

B) Appropriate weight for height, good general health: This is incorrect because a BMI of 32 kg/m² does not fall within the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². The client is not at an appropriate weight for her height and is not considered to be in good general health based on this BMI.

C) Extreme obesity, at risk for multiple co-morbidities: While a BMI of 32 kg/m² does indicate obesity, it does not reach the threshold for extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²). Therefore, the client is not categorized as extremely obese, although she is still at risk for several co-morbidities associated with obesity.

D) Undernutrition, at risk for malnutrition: This is incorrect because a BMI of 32 kg/m² is indicative of excess weight, not undernutrition or malnutrition. The client's BMI suggests an over-nutrition status rather than undernutrition.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

An adult client presents with gnawing epigastric pain. The pain is worse when the client is hungry and abates after eating something. Which problem do these symptoms suggest?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While percussing the borders of the heart, the nurse picks up an area of dullness beginning at the 5th left intercostal space and moving upward to the 2nd left intercostal space at the sternal border. What do these findings indicate?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a young adult female who is 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and has a body mass index (BMI) score of 32 kg/m2. Based on this BMI, what should the nurse deduce about this client's general health? Reference Range: Body Mass Index (BMI) [Normal 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2]

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

An older male client reports to the nurse that his feet are cold. Before covering the client's feet, which assessment(s) should the nurse complete? Select all that apply.

The nurse applies pressure over an area of the lower abdomen where the client reports pain. The client denies pain upon palpation, but reports pain when the pressure is released. Which action should the nurse implement?

During an abdominal assessment, a client with a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C) experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling during deep palpation. Which prescription is most important for the nurse to implement?

During an admission assessment, which approach should the nurse use to assess a client's speech patterns?

The nurse examines a client's right great toe. The joint is red, edematous, and very painful with limited range of motion. The client's serum uric acid levels are elevated. Which action should the nurse tell the client to make?

When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should the nurse use when documenting the assessment?

A client presents with itching and pain in the left ear that started several days after beginning swim lessons. The nurse observes a discharge coming from the ear with a musty odor. How should the nurse expect the ear to appear when performing an otoscopic examination?

The nurse is examining an older female client and suspects that she has a dysfunction in her hip region. Which procedure should the nurse perform to further assess for hip dysfunction?