The patient reports experiencing frequent watery stools after eating undercooked meat at a restaurant. Which health care provider prescription would the nurse implement first?

Administer metronidazole

Administer loperamide

Obtain a CBC

Collect a stool sample

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including those caused by organisms like Giardia and some anaerobic bacteria. While it may be appropriate if a specific diagnosis indicates its use, it is not the first action without further evaluation.
B.   Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication that slows intestinal movement and can help alleviate diarrhea. However, using loperamide in cases of suspected infectious diarrhea (especially if due to a bacterial or parasitic cause) can worsen the condition by keeping pathogens in the system longer. It is generally not the first choice in such scenarios.
C.   A complete blood count (CBC) can provide information about the patient's overall health and help identify signs of infection (like elevated white blood cell counts). However, this diagnostic test is not an immediate intervention to manage the patient's current symptoms.
D.   Collecting a stool sample is crucial to identify the causative organism responsible for the diarrhea, especially given the recent consumption of undercooked meat. This step is important for guiding appropriate treatment, as it will help determine whether an infectious agent is present and what specific treatment may be required.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Antacids are typically used to neutralize stomach acid, which can provide relief for ulcer-related pain. If the pain worsens with antacids, it may suggest another underlying issue, such as a gastric ulcer or a different gastrointestinal condition.
B. This statement is more typical of gastric ulcers, where pain may occur shortly after eating due to increased gastric acid secretion. In duodenal ulcers, pain typically occurs a few hours after meals.
C. Duodenal ulcer pain often improves with eating because food temporarily buffers stomach acid, which can provide relief. Patients may find that their pain is relieved for a time after eating, as the food helps protect the ulcer.
D. This statement is not typically associated with duodenal ulcers. While some patients may experience variations in pain during the night, the relief during sleep is not a characteristic feature. The pain is usually more related to the timing of meals rather than sleep.

A. Abdominal cramping B. Profuse diarrhea C. Hyperactive bowel sounds D. A hard, rigid abdomen

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Abdominal cramping can occur with various gastrointestinal conditions, including peritonitis. However, it is not specific to peritonitis and may also be present in conditions like gastroenteritis or bowel obstruction.
B. Profuse diarrhea is typically associated with gastrointestinal infections or inflammatory bowel diseases rather than peritonitis. In fact, peritonitis often leads to reduced bowel activity, potentially resulting in constipation rather than diarrhea.
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds can occur in early stages of peritonitis but are not a classic finding. In many cases of peritonitis, bowel sounds may be diminished or absent due to the body’s response to inflammation. While it might be observed in some instances, it is not characteristic of peritonitis.
D. This is a classic and significant finding in peritonitis. A hard, rigid abdomen indicates muscle guarding, which is the body’s response to inflammation and irritation of the peritoneum. This rigidity is often referred to as "board-like" and is a key indicator of peritonitis.

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The patient reports experiencing frequent watery stools after eating undercooked meat at a restaurant. Which health care provider prescription would the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is performing the initial history and physical examination of a patient diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. Which type of pain does the nurse expect the patient to describe?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

What assessment findings support the diagnosis of peritonitis?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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