NUR 170 Med-Surg Exam 4 Practice Test
2026|2027 latest exam with verified
answers
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect to see?
a) Lower abdominal cramping and distention
b) Constipation and ribbon-like stools
c) Upper abdominal distention and vomiting containing fecal matter
d) Decreased or absent bowel sounds from the onset
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) Upper abdominal distention and vomiting
containing fecal matter
Rationale: Small bowel obstructions typically present with upper abdominal
distention and vomiting, which may progress to contain fecal material .
2. A patient with a large bowel obstruction is likely to experience:
a) Profuse, metabolic-altering vomiting
b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
bloating and constipation
c) Visible peristaltic waves in the upper abdomen
d) Sharp, sudden pain indicating perforation
,Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
bloating and constipation
Rationale: Large bowel obstructions are characterized by lower abdominal
symptoms, including intermittent cramping, bloating, and constipation .
3. The nurse is providing dietary teaching for a patient with Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis). Which meal selection indicates
a good understanding of the teaching?
a) A glass of whole milk and a high-fiber cereal
b) A cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin
c) A baked fish fillet with white rice and cooked carrots
d) A large salad with fresh vegetables and a glass of wine
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) A baked fish fillet with white rice and cooked
carrots
Rationale: The diet for IBD should be high in calories, protein, and vitamins,
but low in fiber and lactose. It should also avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Cooked fish and rice fit this profile .
4. A patient with gastroenteritis asks the nurse for medication to stop the
diarrhea. What is the nurse's best response?
a) "I can get you some Imodium (loperamide) right away."
b) "It is best to let the diarrhea run its course as it helps clear the infection."
c) "You should take this Pepto-Bismol with some water."
d) "Let's wait to see if your stool culture comes back positive first."
,Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) "It is best to let the diarrhea run its course as
it helps clear the infection."
Rationale: In cases of gastroenteritis, anti-diarrheal medications like
Imodium are typically avoided because they can prolong the infection by
preventing the body from expelling the pathogen .
5. A patient is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. Which statement by the patient
requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
a) "I will drink plenty of Gatorade and Powerade today."
b) "I made sure to wash my apples before eating them."
c) "I am an 80-year-old and have been vomiting for two days."
d) "I will rest today and expect this to last about three days."
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) "I am an 80-year-old and have been vomiting
for two days."
Rationale: Elderly patients are at a much higher risk for dehydration from
gastroenteritis and need to be seen sooner for hydration status .
6. Which of the following is a major risk factor for developing GERD?
a) Hypotension
b) Obesity
c) Tachycardia
d) Hypothermia
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Obesity
Rationale: Obesity is a significant risk factor for GERD as it increases intra-
abdominal pressure, which can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter .
, 7. A patient with GERD is prescribed a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) such as
omeprazole (Prilosec). The nurse understands that this medication works by:
a) Neutralizing acid in the stomach
b) Reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach
c) Blocking histamine receptors in the stomach
d) Coating the lining of the esophagus
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Reducing the amount of acid produced by the
stomach
Rationale: PPIs work by irreversibly inhibiting the proton pump in the
stomach lining, which significantly reduces gastric acid secretion .
8. The nurse is teaching a patient with GERD about lifestyle modifications.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will eat my last meal of the day right before I go to sleep."
b) "I will elevate the head of my bed on 6-inch blocks."
c) "I will avoid wearing tight clothing around my waist."
d) "I will try to lose weight to reduce the pressure on my stomach."
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜a) "I will eat my last meal of the day right before
I go to sleep."
Rationale: Patients with GERD should avoid eating 2-3 hours before
bedtime to allow the stomach to empty and reduce the risk of reflux while
lying down .
9. A patient is scheduled for a barium swallow. What is the most important
post-procedure instruction for the nurse to provide?
2026|2027 latest exam with verified
answers
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction. Which
assessment finding would the nurse expect to see?
a) Lower abdominal cramping and distention
b) Constipation and ribbon-like stools
c) Upper abdominal distention and vomiting containing fecal matter
d) Decreased or absent bowel sounds from the onset
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) Upper abdominal distention and vomiting
containing fecal matter
Rationale: Small bowel obstructions typically present with upper abdominal
distention and vomiting, which may progress to contain fecal material .
2. A patient with a large bowel obstruction is likely to experience:
a) Profuse, metabolic-altering vomiting
b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
bloating and constipation
c) Visible peristaltic waves in the upper abdomen
d) Sharp, sudden pain indicating perforation
,Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
bloating and constipation
Rationale: Large bowel obstructions are characterized by lower abdominal
symptoms, including intermittent cramping, bloating, and constipation .
3. The nurse is providing dietary teaching for a patient with Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis). Which meal selection indicates
a good understanding of the teaching?
a) A glass of whole milk and a high-fiber cereal
b) A cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin
c) A baked fish fillet with white rice and cooked carrots
d) A large salad with fresh vegetables and a glass of wine
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) A baked fish fillet with white rice and cooked
carrots
Rationale: The diet for IBD should be high in calories, protein, and vitamins,
but low in fiber and lactose. It should also avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Cooked fish and rice fit this profile .
4. A patient with gastroenteritis asks the nurse for medication to stop the
diarrhea. What is the nurse's best response?
a) "I can get you some Imodium (loperamide) right away."
b) "It is best to let the diarrhea run its course as it helps clear the infection."
c) "You should take this Pepto-Bismol with some water."
d) "Let's wait to see if your stool culture comes back positive first."
,Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) "It is best to let the diarrhea run its course as
it helps clear the infection."
Rationale: In cases of gastroenteritis, anti-diarrheal medications like
Imodium are typically avoided because they can prolong the infection by
preventing the body from expelling the pathogen .
5. A patient is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. Which statement by the patient
requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
a) "I will drink plenty of Gatorade and Powerade today."
b) "I made sure to wash my apples before eating them."
c) "I am an 80-year-old and have been vomiting for two days."
d) "I will rest today and expect this to last about three days."
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜c) "I am an 80-year-old and have been vomiting
for two days."
Rationale: Elderly patients are at a much higher risk for dehydration from
gastroenteritis and need to be seen sooner for hydration status .
6. Which of the following is a major risk factor for developing GERD?
a) Hypotension
b) Obesity
c) Tachycardia
d) Hypothermia
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Obesity
Rationale: Obesity is a significant risk factor for GERD as it increases intra-
abdominal pressure, which can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter .
, 7. A patient with GERD is prescribed a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) such as
omeprazole (Prilosec). The nurse understands that this medication works by:
a) Neutralizing acid in the stomach
b) Reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach
c) Blocking histamine receptors in the stomach
d) Coating the lining of the esophagus
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜b) Reducing the amount of acid produced by the
stomach
Rationale: PPIs work by irreversibly inhibiting the proton pump in the
stomach lining, which significantly reduces gastric acid secretion .
8. The nurse is teaching a patient with GERD about lifestyle modifications.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will eat my last meal of the day right before I go to sleep."
b) "I will elevate the head of my bed on 6-inch blocks."
c) "I will avoid wearing tight clothing around my waist."
d) "I will try to lose weight to reduce the pressure on my stomach."
Correct Answer: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜a) "I will eat my last meal of the day right before
I go to sleep."
Rationale: Patients with GERD should avoid eating 2-3 hours before
bedtime to allow the stomach to empty and reduce the risk of reflux while
lying down .
9. A patient is scheduled for a barium swallow. What is the most important
post-procedure instruction for the nurse to provide?
