The nurse talks with a graduate nurse. Which does the graduate nurse identify as the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults?
Appendicitis and peritonitis
Sigmoid colon cancer
Cirrhosis and ascites
Adhesions of the small intestine
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Appendicitis and peritonitis are not the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults because they are conditions that affect the appendix and the peritoneum, which are parts of the large intestine, not the small intestine. The appendix is a small pouch that is attached to the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall. Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes inflamed, causing symptoms such as pain, fever, or nausea. Peritonitis is a condition where the peritoneum becomes inflamed, usually due to an infection or a perforation of the abdominal organs, causing symptoms such as pain, fever, or shock.
Choice B reason: Sigmoid colon cancer is not the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults because it is a condition that affects the sigmoid colon, which is the last part of the large intestine, not the small intestine. The sigmoid colon is a curved segment that connects the descending colon to the rectum, which is the final part of the digestive tract. Sigmoid colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops from the cells that line the inner wall of the sigmoid colon, causing symptoms such as bleeding, change in bowel habits, or weight loss.
Choice C reason: Cirrhosis and ascites are not the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults because they are conditions that affect the liver and the abdomen, not the small intestine. The liver is a large organ that performs various functions, such as detoxifying the blood, producing bile, and metabolizing nutrients. The abdomen is the cavity that contains the digestive organs, such as the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine. Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver becomes scarred and damaged, usually due to chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, or fatty liver disease, causing symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, or bleeding. Ascites is a condition where fluid accumulates in the abdomen, usually due to portal hypertension, which is a high blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. Portal hypertension can be a complication of cirrhosis, and can cause symptoms such as abdominal distension, shortness of breath, or infection.
Choice D reason: Adhesions of the small intestine are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults because they are bands of scar tissue that form between the loops of the small intestine, which is the part of the digestive tract that extends from the stomach to the large intestine, and is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients. Adhesions of the small intestine can block or twist the passage of food and fluid, causing symptoms such as pain, vomiting, or constipation. Adhesions of the small intestine can be caused by various factors, such as surgery, infection, or inflammation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A sacculated aneurysm in the circle of Willis is not the most likely cause of a left-sided embolic stroke. A sacculated aneurysm is a bulging of a weak spot in the wall of an artery, which may occur in the circle of Willis, a network of arteries at the base of the brain. A sacculated aneurysm may cause a hemorrhagic stroke, which is a bleeding into the brain, not an embolic stroke, which is a blockage of a blood vessel by a clot.
Choice B reason: Rupture of small cerebral blood vessels is not the most likely cause of a left-sided embolic stroke. Rupture of small cerebral blood vessels may occur due to hypertension, diabetes, or aging, which may damage the integrity of the blood vessel walls. Rupture of small cerebral blood vessels may cause a hemorrhagic stroke, which is a bleeding into the brain, not an embolic stroke, which is a blockage of a blood vessel by a clot.
Choice C reason: Diffuse inflammation of the small diameter blood vessels is not the most likely cause of a left-sided embolic stroke. Diffuse inflammation of the small diameter blood vessels may occur due to vasculitis, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and narrowing of the blood vessels. Diffuse inflammation of the small diameter blood vessels may cause a thrombotic stroke, which is a formation of a clot within the blood vessel, not an embolic stroke, which is a blockage of a blood vessel by a clot that travels from another site.
Choice D reason: Migration of a clot from the left atrium of the heart is the best explanation for the most likely cause of a left-sided embolic stroke. An embolic stroke is a type of ischemic stroke, which is a lack of blood flow to the brain due to a blockage of a blood vessel by a clot. A clot may form in the left atrium of the heart due to conditions such as atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat that causes blood to pool and clot in the heart. A clot may then break off and travel through the bloodstream until it reaches a smaller blood vessel in the brain, where it causes an embolic stroke.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: "I was short of breath when I walked around the block yesterday." is not the most significant statement because it is a common symptom of chronic bronchitis, but it does not indicate the severity or the progression of the condition. Shortness of breath is caused by the inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which reduce the airflow and oxygen delivery to the lungs.
Choice B reason: "I have a loose sounding cough every day when I get up in the morning." is the most significant statement because it indicates the presence of excessive mucus production, which is a hallmark of chronic bronchitis. Mucus traps bacteria and other irritants, which can lead to infections and further inflammation of the airways. A chronic cough is defined as a cough that lasts for at least three months in two consecutive years.
Choice C reason: "My respiratory secretions are greenish-yellow colored today." is not the most significant statement because it is a sign of a possible infection, but it does not necessarily indicate chronic bronchitis. Greenish-yellow colored sputum can be caused by various respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cystic fibrosis.
Choice D reason: "My feet are swollen and painful at the end of the afternoon." is not the most significant statement because it is a sign of a possible complication of chronic bronchitis, but it does not directly relate to the condition. Swollen and painful feet can be caused by right-sided heart failure, which can result from chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis can increase the pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which can strain the right ventricle and cause it to fail. This can lead to fluid retention and edema in the lower extremities.
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