There are a variety of medications that are commonly used to promote healthy bowel elimination. Which best describes a bulk-forming agent?

Pull fluid into bowel to soften and distend bowel to stimulate peristalsis.

Absorb water in the intestine to make stool bulkier. Taken with water.

Soften fecal mass and make it easier to evacuate.

Cause local irritation to the intestinal mucosa, increase intestinal motility, and inhibit reabsorption of water in the large intestine

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Pulling fluid into the bowel describes osmotic laxatives (e.g., lactulose), which increase water content to soften stool and stimulate peristalsis. Bulk-forming agents work by absorbing water to increase stool volume, not by osmotically drawing fluid.

Choice B reason: Bulk-forming agents (e.g., psyllium) absorb water in the intestine, swelling to form a bulky, soft stool that stimulates peristalsis. Taken with adequate water, they promote regular bowel movements, making this the accurate description.

Choice C reason: Softening the fecal mass describes stool softeners (e.g., docusate), which reduce stool surface tension to allow water penetration. Bulk-forming agents primarily increase stool volume, not just soften it, distinguishing their mechanism.

Choice D reason: Causing local irritation describes stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl), which irritate the mucosa to enhance motility and reduce water absorption. Bulk-forming agents work mechanically by adding bulk, not through chemical irritation.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Offering narcotics immediately without assessing pain details or considering nonpharmacological options is not therapeutic. Pain management requires a tailored approach, evaluating pain characteristics and patient preferences, as narcotics carry risks like respiratory depression, especially post-surgery, necessitating cautious use.

Choice B reason: Dismissing pain based on stable vitals is not therapeutic. Pain is subjective, and normal vitals (e.g., 110/60 mmHg, 60 bpm) don’t negate severe pain. This response invalidates the patient’s experience, potentially eroding trust and delaying effective pain management.

Choice C reason: Stating the patient doesn’t look in pain is dismissive and non-therapeutic. Pain is subjective, and external appearance may not reflect internal experience, especially in stoic patients. This response risks undermining patient trust and delaying appropriate pain relief interventions.

Choice D reason: Asking what the patient wants to try is therapeutic, promoting patient-centered care. It validates the patient’s pain, encourages shared decision-making, and considers both pharmacological and nonpharmacological options, optimizing pain relief while respecting patient autonomy and preferences post-surgery.

A. Prepare to administer naloxone (Narcan), place the client in Fowler’s, and apply oxygen B. Place the client in high Fowler’s position C. Apply O2 via nasal cannula D. Administer flumazenil IV, apply oxygen, and notify the provider of care

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Morphine-induced respiratory depression (RR 10, O2 Sat 85%) and hypotension (BP 88/42) indicate opioid overdose. Naloxone reverses opioid effects, while Fowler’s position and oxygen improve ventilation and oxygenation, addressing life-threatening symptoms as the priority.

Choice B reason: High Fowler’s position aids breathing but does not address morphine’s opioid effects causing respiratory depression and hypoxia. Alone, it is insufficient to reverse the underlying cause or stabilize the patient’s critical vital signs.

Choice C reason: Applying oxygen via nasal cannula improves oxygenation but does not reverse morphine’s central nervous system depression causing hypoventilation. It is a supportive measure, not the priority compared to naloxone administration.

Choice D reason: Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, not opioids like morphine. Administering it is inappropriate and ineffective for this scenario, and while oxygen is helpful, it is secondary to reversing the opioid overdose with naloxone.

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There are a variety of medications that are commonly used to promote healthy bowel elimination. Which best describes a bulk-forming agent?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had abdominal surgery and is experiencing severe pain. The patient’s blood pressure is 110/60 mmHg, and heart rate is 60 beats/min. Additionally, the patient does not appear to be in any distress. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for different 4 clients. Which of the following client assessments would cause the most concern for the nurse?

A nurse is assessing the characteristics of a patient's pain. Which question is not included in the pain assessment?

The nurse is caring for patients with ostomies. In which ostomy location will the nurse expect very liquid stool to be present?

The nurse anticipates a suprapubic catheter for which patient?

Which of the following client statements would cause the nurse to further question the client?

A patient is being seen for complaints of severe flank pain lasting for 2 days. The emergency department physician suspects that the patient has renal calculi. Which of the following tests would the nurse expect the health care provider to order?

A nurse working in a hospital included abdominal assessment as part of patient assessment. In which patient would a nurse expect to find decreased or absent bowel sounds after listening for 5 minutes?

A nurse is obtaining a 24-hour urine specimen collection from the patient. Which action should the nurse take?