A patient reports having vomitus that looks like coffee grounds. You realize this is a description of what?
a. fresh gastrointestinal blood
b. blood that has had time to mix with digestive juices
c. bile
d. fecal matter
B
Coffee-ground vomitus reveals that upper gastrointestinal blood has been in the stomach for some time and has been changed by contact with gastric secretions. This may be attributed to gastrointestinal ulcers or esophageal varices and needs to be treated promptly. Vomitus that is bright red contains fresh blood which has not been in contact with the stomach's acid secretions. If the emesis contains bile, it will be dark brown or black in color. This may be caused by an intestinal obstruction located high in the small intestine.
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In which of the following positions would a client have maximum lung capacities and volumes?
A) Lying on the unaffected side C) Lying flat on the back B) Resting the head on a pillow D) In the standing position
The nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client with suspected cholecys-titis. In what sequence does the nurse palpate the client's abdomen?
a. Palpate the lower quadrants only. b. Palpate the upper quadrants last. c. Palpate the upper quadrants only. d. Defer palpation and use percussion only.
A patient is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. In which order should the nurse describe the events in this diagnostic test?
1. Contrast dye is injected. 2. Heart activity is filmed. 3. A catheter is inserted into a vein or artery in the leg. 4. The catheter is threaded to the heart chamber.
The patient reports feeling pain in the right lower quadrant. The nurse shows an understanding of the anatomical location of organs in the abdomen by asking the patient which question?
1. "Do you have any problems eating fatty foods?" 2. "Can you tell me about your bowel habits?" 3. "When you eat, do you experience any nausea?" 4. "Do you get clammy when you miss a meal?"