Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which factor in Mrs. Grandin's history increases her susceptibility to gastroenteritis?

1. Acidity of the stomach

2. Normal motility of the GI tract

3. Normal bacterial flora of the intestine

4. Gastric surgery

The correct answer is: Gastric surgery

The history of gastric surgery significantly increases Mrs. Grandin's susceptibility to gastroenteritis. This is because surgical alterations to the gastrointestinal tract can disrupt normal digestive processes and the natural barriers that protect against infections. For instance, procedures that remove part of the stomach or bypass sections of the intestine may result in changes in gastric acidity, motility, and bacterial flora. Patients who have undergone gastric surgery may experience reduced gastric acid production, which plays a crucial role in killing harmful pathogens ingested with food. Additionally, the surgery might lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, resulting in an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria that can contribute to gastrointestinal infections. Consequently, the combination of these factors makes individuals with a history of gastric surgery more vulnerable to infections such as gastroenteritis. In contrast, other factors such as the acidity of the stomach, normal motility of the gastrointestinal tract, and normal bacterial flora generally serve protective roles against gastrointestinal infections and are not associated with increased susceptibility.