The nurse is caring for a patient who has a nasogastric tube in place following gastric surgery. To irrigate the nasogastric tube, the nurse uses normal saline. What is the appropriate rationale for this?

A patient with a colostomy says, “My pouch blows up like a balloon when I pass gas.” What is an appropriate response by the nurse?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has liver failure and esophageal varices. The patient is to receive vasopressin (Pitressin) for which of the following purposes?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has an absorption disorder. What term would the nurse use to document fat in the patient’s stool?

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with a possible bowel obstruction. The nurse would be most concerned by which of the following symptoms?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has chronic liver failure. Which of the following medication orders should the nurse question?

The nurse is caring for a patient on a gastrointestinal unit. The nurse would be most concerned if a patient reported which of the following?

A patient is scheduled for an ileostomy for Crohn’s disease that has been uncontrolled with conservative treatment. The patient asks the nurse what it means to have an ileostomy. Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has an inflamed appendix. The nurse understands that which complication is most likely to occur if the appendix ruptures?

The nurse is teaching a patient with diverticulosis how to avoid complications. Which of the following statements, if made by the patient, would indicate understanding to the nurse?