Which of the following symptoms would a client in the early stages of peritonitis exhibit?

Which of the following symptoms would a client in the early stages of peritonitis exhibit?

    A. Abdominal distention

    B. Abdominal pain and rigidity

    C. Hyperactive bowel sounds

    D. Right upper quadrant pain

Correct Answer: B. Abdominal pain and rigidity


Abdominal pain-causing rigidity of the abdominal muscles is characteristic of peritonitis. During the physical exam, pertinent findings include fever and abdominal tenderness to palpation which usually is diffuse with wall rigidity in more septic presentations.


Option A: Abdominal distention may occur as a late sign but not early on. It is important to conduct a thorough exam as certain thoracic or pelvic pathologies can mimic peritoneal irritation (empyema causing diaphragmatic irritation and cystitis/pyelonephritis causing peritoneum adjacent pain).

Option C: Bowel sounds may be normal or decreased but not increased. Important to note, approximately 30% of individuals with SBP will be asymptomatic on presentation. Patients will present with a variable amount of clinical manifestation of the underlying disease process, ranging from insidious mild limited disease to an acute fulminant systemic process.

Option D: Right upper quadrant pain is characteristic of cholecystitis or hepatitis. Concerning signs present in a high percentage of individuals with diagnosed peritonitis include vague constitutional symptoms such as fever chills, abdominal pain +/- discomfort, diarrhea, and ileus.


Post navigation

Gastrointestinal System Disorders Q 256 Gastrointestinal System Disorders Q 254

A client is admitted with right lower quadrant pain, anorexia, nausea, low-grade fever, and elevated white blood cell count. Which complication is most likely the cause?

Which term best describes the pain associated with appendicitis?

Which position should a nurse direct a client with appendicitis to assume to help relieve the pain?

Assessing for symptoms of peritonitis

Which nursing intervention should be implemented to manage a client with appendicitis?

Which type of diet is implicated in the development of diverticulosis?

Undigested flood blocking the diverticulum, predisposing the area to bacterial invasion

Which mechanism can facilitate the development of diverticulosis into diverticulitis?

Which symptoms indicate diverticulosis

Which test should the nurse expect to be ordered for a client suspected of having diverticulosis?

Administration of antibiotics

Medical management of a client with acute diverticulitis should include which treatment?

The small intestine and colon, affecting the entire thickness of the bowel

Crohn’s disease can be described as a chronic relapsing disease. Which area of the GI system may be involved with this disease?

A client presents with recurrence of crohn's disease. Which area of the alimentary canal does the nurse suspect is involved?

A nurse is preparing the teaching plan for a client with Crohn’s disease. Which factor should she include as a possible link to the development of the disease?

A nurse is reviewing the csuses of ulcerative colitis with a client. Which factor is believed to cause ulcerative colitis

A client is admitted with an anorectal fistula. Which underlying disorder does the client most likely have

A client with Crohn’s disease experiences 20 watery stools per day. Which sign would indicate dehydration?

Which associated disorder might a client with ulcerative colitis exhibit?

Which associated disorder might a client with Crohn's Disease exhibit most often?

A client with Crohn’s disease is admitted with fever, weight loss, leg cramping, diarrhea, frequent premature ventricular contractions, and abdominal pain. Which laboratory finding should be treatedfirst?

Low residue, High protein

Which diet would be most appropriate for a client with ulcerative colitis?

If a client had irritable bowel syndrome, which diagnostic test would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

Using long term steroid therapy

Which intervention should be included in the medical management of Crohn's Disease?

A client with Crohn’s disease experiencing an exacerbation. Which instruction would be a priority in planning his care?

Which medication is most effective for treating the pain associated with irritable bowel disease?

During the first few days of recovery from Ostomy surgery for ulcerative colitis, which aspect should be the first priority of client care?

Colon cancer is most closely associated with which condition?

A nurse is providing nutritional teaching for a client with a family history of colon cancer. Which dietary choice by the client demonstrates that he understands the correct diet to follow?

Which diagnostic test should be performed annually after age 50 to screen for colon cancer?

It helps reduce the size of the tumor

A client with colon cancer is scheduled to receive radiation therapy prior to surgery. What should the nurse include in her teaching about the use of radiation therapy?

A change in bowel habbits

Which symptom is a client with colon cancer mostly likely exhibit?

A client has just had surgery for colon cancer. Which disorder might this client develop?

A cient with rectal cancer may exhibit which symptom?

A client with which condition may be likely to develop rectal cancer?

Insomnia related to fear of the unknown

A client recently diagnosed with colon cancer tells the nurse that he’s been having trouble sleeping and is preoccupied with thoughts of how his life will change after surgery. Which is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis?

Which condition may lead to hemorrhoids?

Digital rectal examination

Which assessment is most relevant with the diagnosis of hemorrhoids?

Recommending a high-fiber diet

Medical management of hemorrhoids includes which treatment?

Which condition is most likely to directly cause peritonitis?

Abdominal pain and rigidity

Which symptom would a client in the early stages of peritonitis exhibit?

White blood cell (WBC) count above 15,000/l

Which laboratory result would be expected in a client with peritonitis?

Which therapy is included in the medical management of a client with peritonitis?

Fluid and electrolyte balance

Which aspect is the priority focus of nursing management for a client with peritonitis?

Which factor is most commonly associated with the development of pancreatitis?

Autodigestion of the pancreas

Which action of pancreatic enzymes can cause pancreatic damage?

Which laboratory test is used to diagnose pancreatitis?

Bluish discoloration of the periumbilical area

A client with pancreatitis may exhibit Cullen’s sign on physical examination. Which symptombest describes Cullen’s sign?

Which factor should be the initial focus of nursing management in a client with acute pancreatitis?

When admitting a client to the hospital with suspected acute pancreatitis, which electrolyte disorder would be expected?

Ultrasound of the abdomen

A client presents to the emergency department with abdominal pain, weight loss, steatorrhea, and a random glucose of 417 mg/dl. The nurse should expect which diagnostic test to be ordered?

In alcohol-related pancreatitis, which intervention is the best way to reduce the exacerbation of pain?

Increased bilirubin level

A client with cirrhosis complains that his skin always feels itchy. The nurse recognizes that the itching is a result of which abnormality associated with cirrhosis?

Which factor causes biliary cirrhosis?

Chronic biliary inflammation or obstruction

Which finding would strongly indicate the possibility of cirrhosis?

Which diagnostic test helps determine a definitive diagnosis for cirrhosis?

A client with cirrhosis may have alterations in which laboratory value?

Which condition is most likely to cause hepatitis?

Eating a shrimp platter at a local restaurant

A client is being evaluated for hepatitis A. which activity places him at the highest risk for contracting hepatitis A?

A client with viral hepatitis may exhibit which symptom?

A client who is developing hepatic encephalopathy may exhibit which symptom?

Nursing interventions for a client with toxic hepatitis include which action?

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Which test is the most accurate for diagnosing liver cancer?

Immediately after a liver biopsy, which complication should a client be closely monitored for?

When a client who has a liver disorder is having an invasive procedure, the nurse helps assure safety by assessing the results of which test?

Metabolism of the medication

Which consideration has highest priority when preparing to administer a medication to a client with liver cancer?

Cryoablation or liver resection

Which procedure is likely to be most necessary for a client with a small tumor confined to one liver segment or lobe?

Keep weight proportional to height

When counseling a client in the ways to prevent cholecystitis, which guideline is most important?

On palpation and deep inspiration, pain is elicited and the client stops breathing in

Which symptom best describes Murphy’s sign?

Which test is most commonly used to diagnoses cholecystitis?

Assessment for complications

Which factor should be the main focus of nursing management for a client hospitalized for acute cholecystitis?

Use anticholinergics as prescribed

A client treated for chronic cholecystitis should be given which instruction?

Elevated amylase, elevated lipase, elevated serum glucose, and decreased serum calcium levels

Which laboratory values will a nurse interpret as confirming a client’s diagnosis of pancreatitis?

Right side-lying position, with the bed flat

After a liver biopsy, a nurse should place a client in which position?

A client with irritable bowel syndrome is being prepared for discharge. Which meal plan should the nurse give the client?

"Be sure to get regular exercise."

When teaching an elderly client how to prevent constipation, which instruction should the nurse include?

The client exhibits firm skin turgor

In a client with diarrhea, which outcome indicates that fluid resuscitation is successful?

Cereal grains (except rice and corn)

A 30-year-old weight loss, abdominal distension, crampy abdominal pain, and intermittent diarrhea after the birth of her second child. Diagnostic tests reveal gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Which foods must she eliminate from her diet permanently?

Question the physician about the order

An enema is prescribed for a client with suspected appendicitis. Which action should the nurse take?

Elevated serum lipase level

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with suspected acute pancreatitis. When reviewing the client’s laboratory results, the nurse determines that which of these findings will support the diagnosis?

The client is experiencing blockage of the common bile duct. Which of the following food selections made by the client indicates the need to plan for further diet teaching?

Palpating for peripheral edema

The nurse is reviewing laboratory test results for the client with liver disease and notes that the client’s albumin level is low. Which of the following nursing actions is focused on the consequence of low albumin levels?

A patient who recently has been experiencing frequent heartburn is seen in the clinic. The nurse will anticipate teaching the patient about

Which symptom is often observed in cases of peritonitis?

The diagnosis of peritonitis is a clinical diagnosis, based mostly on history and physical examination. The main symptom in all cases is abdominal pain. The pain can be sharp or insidious; often the pain is constant and intense, and is aggravated with movement.

What is the most common cause of peritonitis?

In most cases, the cause is a rupture (perforation) within the abdominal wall. Though it's rare, the condition can develop without an abdominal rupture. Common causes of ruptures that lead to peritonitis include: Medical procedures, such as peritoneal dialysis.

What causes peritonitis?

What causes peritonitis? Peritonitis is caused by an infection. Bacteria can enter the lining of your belly from a hole in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract. This can happen if you have a hole in your colon or a burst appendix.

How fast does peritonitis develop?

How fast does peritonitis develop? Peritonitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention, as it develops very rapidly. Upon rupture of the abdominal wall or abdominal organs, the peritoneum can become infected within 24 to 48 hours.