A client arrives to the emergency department complaining of acute onset of nausea with projectile vomiting. The nurse's assessment findings include high-pitched sounds in the left upper quadrant. Which gastrointestinal disorder is consistent with these findings?
Colorectal cancer
Paralytic ileus
Large bowel obstruction
Small bowel obstruction
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason: Colorectal cancer is not likely to cause nausea with projectile vomiting or high-pitched sounds in the left upper quadrant. Colorectal cancer may cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or weight loss.
Choice B Reason: Paralytic ileus is a condition where the bowel stops working and does not contract or move food along. Paralytic ileus may cause symptoms such as abdominal distension, absence of bowel sounds, constipation, or vomiting.
Choice C Reason: Large bowel obstruction is a blockage of the colon or rectum that prevents the passage of stool. Large bowel obstruction may cause symptoms such as abdominal distension, low-pitched sounds in the right lower quadrant, constipation, or ribbon-like stools.
Choice D Reason: Small bowel obstruction is a blockage of the small intestine that prevents the passage of food and fluids. Small bowel obstruction may cause symptoms such as nausea with projectile vomiting, high-pitched sounds in the left upper quadrant, abdominal cramps, or dehydration.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect. Losing bladder control is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Complex partial seizures are a type of focal seizures that affect a specific area of the brain and cause impaired awareness and automatisms. Automatisms are repetitive and involuntary movements or behaviors that occur during a seizure.
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect. Having fixed and dilated eyes is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of brain death or severe brain injury. Complex partial seizures do not affect the pupils or eye movements, but rather the level of consciousness and motor activity.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect. Making involuntary groaning sounds is not a feature of complex partial seizures, but rather of simple partial seizures. Simple partial seizures are a type of focal seizures that affect a specific area of the brain and do not impair awareness or cause automatisms. They can cause sensory, motor, or psychic symptoms, such as auditory or visual hallucinations, tingling sensations, or emotional changes.
Choice D Reason: This is the correct choice. Having involuntary facial movements, such as lip-smacking, is a feature of complex partial seizures. Complex partial seizures often originate from the temporal lobe of the brain, which is involved in memory, language, and emotion. They can cause automatisms that affect the mouth, face, or hands, such as chewing, swallowing, picking, or fidgeting.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because encouraging coughing and deep breathing can increase intracranial pressure (ICP), which is the pressure inside the skull that can affect brain function. Coughing and deep breathing can increase blood flow and oxygen demand to the brain, which can worsen cerebral edema. The nurse should suction the patient as needed and maintain a patent airway.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because positioning the patient with knees and hips flexed can increase ICP by reducing venous drainage from the head. The nurse should position the patient with neck and body in alignment and avoid extreme flexion or extension of any joints.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because performing nursing interventions once an hour can disturb the patient's sleep and increase ICP by stimulating brain activity. The nurse should cluster nursing interventions and provide quiet and dark environment to promote rest and reduce stress.
Choice D Reason: This is correct because keeping the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees can decrease ICP by facilitating venous drainage from the head and reducing cerebral blood volume. The nurse should monitor the patient's blood pressure and pulse to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion.

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