NUR 170 Med Surg Exam 4 Practice Exam WITH
VERRIFIED ANSWERS 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction. Which assessment finding would the
nurse most expect to see?
a) Lower abdominal cramping and constipation
b) Profuse vomiting that may contain fecal material Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Absent bowel sounds from the onset
d) Gradual onset of symptoms over several days
2. A patient with a large bowel obstruction is likely to present with which of the following symptoms?
a) Upper abdominal distention and rapid vomiting
b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping and bloating Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Electrolyte imbalances occurring within hours
d) Diarrhea with frank blood
3. The nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected bowel obstruction. Auscultation of the abdomen
reveals hyperactive bowel sounds above the obstruction and absent sounds below. This is most
characteristic of:
a) A paralytic ileus
b) A small bowel obstruction Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) A large bowel obstruction in the early stages
d) Peritonitis
4. A patient with an obstructive bowel disorder is scheduled for a nasogastric tube (NGT) placement.
In which position should the nurse place the patient to facilitate insertion?
a) Supine with head flat
b) Left lateral recumbent
c) High Fowler's position Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) Trendelenburg position
5. The nurse is providing care for a patient with an NGT for an obstruction. Which finding confirms
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜 placement of the tube after an x-ray?
a) The patient denies discomfort
b) Aspiration of greenish-yellow fluid
c) The x-ray visualization shows the tube in the stomach Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) The nurse hears gurgling over the epigastrium
6. A patient is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
a) Administer loperamide (Imodium) to stop the diarrhea
b) Encourage fluids like Gatorade or Pedialyte Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Keep the patient NPO until vomiting ceases completely
d) Place the patient on a clear liquid diet consisting of apple juice and ginger ale
, 7. The nurse is educating a patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) about dietary
modifications. Which meal selection indicates the patient understands the teaching?
a) A glass of whole milk with a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread
b) A cup of coffee, a banana, and a bran muffin
c) Baked salmon, white rice, and canned pears Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) A large salad with fresh vegetables and a glass of red wine
8. A patient with ulcerative colitis is being discharged. The nurse knows teaching has been effective
when the patient states they will avoid:
a) Fish and poultry
b) Caffeine and alcohol Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) White bread and pasta
d) Applesauce and ripe bananas
9. Which of the following is a key dietary recommendation for a patient experiencing an acute flare-up
of Crohn's disease?
a) High fiber to promote bowel regularity
b) Low fiber to reduce bowel irritation Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Lactose-rich foods to increase caloric intake
d) Spicy foods to stimulate appetite
10. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with gastroenteritis. What is a priority goal for this
patient?
a) Maintenance of skin integrity
b) Prevention of fluid and electrolyte imbalance Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Strict bed rest for 48 hours
d) Administration of antiemetics before each meal
11. The nurse identifies which patient as being at the highest risk for developing GERD?
a) A patient who follows a low-fat diet
b) A patient with a normal BMI who exercises daily
c) An obese patient who is pregnant Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) A patient who eats small, frequent meals
12. Which of the following is a known risk factor for GERD?
a) Regular consumption of a high-fiber diet
b) Placement of a nasogastric tube Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Hypotension
d) Use of beta-blockers
13. A patient with GERD reports a bitter taste in the mouth upon waking. The nurse understands this
is likely caused by:
a) Poor oral hygiene
b) Regurgitation of gastric contents during sleep Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Decreased production of saliva
d) A side effect of proton pump inhibitors
VERRIFIED ANSWERS 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction. Which assessment finding would the
nurse most expect to see?
a) Lower abdominal cramping and constipation
b) Profuse vomiting that may contain fecal material Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Absent bowel sounds from the onset
d) Gradual onset of symptoms over several days
2. A patient with a large bowel obstruction is likely to present with which of the following symptoms?
a) Upper abdominal distention and rapid vomiting
b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping and bloating Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Electrolyte imbalances occurring within hours
d) Diarrhea with frank blood
3. The nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected bowel obstruction. Auscultation of the abdomen
reveals hyperactive bowel sounds above the obstruction and absent sounds below. This is most
characteristic of:
a) A paralytic ileus
b) A small bowel obstruction Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) A large bowel obstruction in the early stages
d) Peritonitis
4. A patient with an obstructive bowel disorder is scheduled for a nasogastric tube (NGT) placement.
In which position should the nurse place the patient to facilitate insertion?
a) Supine with head flat
b) Left lateral recumbent
c) High Fowler's position Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) Trendelenburg position
5. The nurse is providing care for a patient with an NGT for an obstruction. Which finding confirms
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜 placement of the tube after an x-ray?
a) The patient denies discomfort
b) Aspiration of greenish-yellow fluid
c) The x-ray visualization shows the tube in the stomach Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) The nurse hears gurgling over the epigastrium
6. A patient is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
a) Administer loperamide (Imodium) to stop the diarrhea
b) Encourage fluids like Gatorade or Pedialyte Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Keep the patient NPO until vomiting ceases completely
d) Place the patient on a clear liquid diet consisting of apple juice and ginger ale
, 7. The nurse is educating a patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) about dietary
modifications. Which meal selection indicates the patient understands the teaching?
a) A glass of whole milk with a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread
b) A cup of coffee, a banana, and a bran muffin
c) Baked salmon, white rice, and canned pears Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) A large salad with fresh vegetables and a glass of red wine
8. A patient with ulcerative colitis is being discharged. The nurse knows teaching has been effective
when the patient states they will avoid:
a) Fish and poultry
b) Caffeine and alcohol Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) White bread and pasta
d) Applesauce and ripe bananas
9. Which of the following is a key dietary recommendation for a patient experiencing an acute flare-up
of Crohn's disease?
a) High fiber to promote bowel regularity
b) Low fiber to reduce bowel irritation Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Lactose-rich foods to increase caloric intake
d) Spicy foods to stimulate appetite
10. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with gastroenteritis. What is a priority goal for this
patient?
a) Maintenance of skin integrity
b) Prevention of fluid and electrolyte imbalance Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Strict bed rest for 48 hours
d) Administration of antiemetics before each meal
11. The nurse identifies which patient as being at the highest risk for developing GERD?
a) A patient who follows a low-fat diet
b) A patient with a normal BMI who exercises daily
c) An obese patient who is pregnant Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
d) A patient who eats small, frequent meals
12. Which of the following is a known risk factor for GERD?
a) Regular consumption of a high-fiber diet
b) Placement of a nasogastric tube Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Hypotension
d) Use of beta-blockers
13. A patient with GERD reports a bitter taste in the mouth upon waking. The nurse understands this
is likely caused by:
a) Poor oral hygiene
b) Regurgitation of gastric contents during sleep Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
c) Decreased production of saliva
d) A side effect of proton pump inhibitors
