NR 511-Midterm Exam Questions 

What is one intervention for a pt with gastroenteritis?

- Fluid repletion (PO if possible, pedialyte; IVF for more severe dehydration)

Nutrition

When are stool studies warranted?

- In pts with severe or prolonged diarrhea, fever >38.5C, bloody stools, stools 

+leukocytes/occult blood

What is an appropriate treatment for prophylaxis or treatment of traveler's diarrhea?

- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS) 1 tab BID x3days

Cipro 500mg

Norfloxacin (Noroxin) 400mg

Ofloxacin (Floxin) 300mg

Describe the component of the H&P that should be done for a pt with abd pain.

- OLDCARTS

Upper abd pain: ask about chronic/recurring and related symptoms (bloating, fullness, 

heartburn, n/v)

Lower abd pain: if acute, is pain sharp, intermittent continuous? If chronic, is there a 

change in bowel habits (alternating diarrhea/constipation)?

Radiation?

What is at least one effective treatment for IBS?

- Diet (avoid lactose, caffeine, legumes, artificial sweeteners; eat low-fat diet with 

increased protein, high fiber, bulk-producing agents, 64oz water daily)

Lifestyle modification

Exercise

Stress reduction

Pharm (for moderate-severe symptoms only): antidiarrheals (imodium, lomotil), 

laxatives (lactulose, mag hydroxide), antispasmodics (dicyclomine, hyoscyamine), 

tricyclic antidepressants; avoid anticholinergics with glaucoma and BPH pts.

What is at least one prescription med used to treat chronic constipation?

- Linzess (linaclotide)

Trulance (plecanatide)

Amitiza (lubiprostone)

Lactulose

Mag hydroxide

What is at least one treatment for Meniere's disease?

- Bedrest with eyes closed, protection from falling

Maintenance therapy: chlorothiazide (Diurel) 500mg/day

Meclizine

Promethazine

Dimenhydrinate

Diphenhydramine

Metoclopramide

T/F

The majority of dyspnea complaints are due to cardiac or pulmonary decompensation.

- True

What are the differences between intrathorax and extrathorax flow disorders?

- Intra: obstruction of distal/smaller airway (asthma, bronchiolitis, vascular ring, solid FB 

aspiration, lymph node enlargement pressure). Take place in the supraglottic, glottis, 

and infraglottic regions. Supraglottic = space above larynx and epiglottis. Glottis = area 

of opening in vocal cords. Infraglottic = starts at bottom of vocal cords and ends at top 

of trachea.

Extra: Obstruction of proximal/larger airway (rhinitis with nasal obstruction, nasal polyp, 

cranio-facial malformation, OSA, tonsil/adenoid hypertrophy, laryngotracheomalacia, 

larynx papilloma, diphtheria, croup, epiglottitis, thymus hypertrophy)

Difference is location of obstruction.