What diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate for an older patient who is vomiting "coffee-ground" emesis?
Endoscopy
Barium studies
Angiography
Gastric analysis
The Correct Answer is A
"Coffee-ground" emesis is a term used to describe vomit that has the appearance of coffee grounds, which indicates that the vomit contains partially digested blood. This is a serious symptom that could be indicative of an upper gastrointestinal bleed. An endoscopy is a diagnostic test that allows healthcare providers to visually examine the upper gastrointestinal tract and identify the source of bleeding.
Barium studies and angiography are not typically used to diagnose upper gastrointestinal bleeds. Gastric analysis may be useful in other diagnostic situations, but it is not the most appropriate test for a patient with "coffee-ground" emesis.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should explain to the patient that phenazopyridine is a medication that can help relieve the pain, burning, and urgency associated with UTIs. However, it does not treat the underlying infection. The nurse should also instruct the patient to take the medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider and inform them that the medication may turn their urine an orange or red color, which is a harmless and expected side effect.
The nurse should also inform the patient that taking phenazopyridine before sexual intercourse is not recommended and that the medication should be taken as directed by the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should anticipate that the patient will need to collect a stool specimen. Diarrhea can be caused by various factors such as infections, inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance, and medication side effects. Collecting a stool specimen can help identify the underlying cause of the diarrhea and guide appropriate treatment. Blood cultures, colonoscopy but barium enema may be necessary in certain cases but are not typically the first step in the diagnostic process for diarrhea.
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