NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 4 Galen | 2026/2027 | Health Assessment | GI, GU, Musculoskeletal
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 4
Galen | 2026/2027 | Health
Assessment | GI, GU,
Musculoskeletal
A+ Verified | Edition: 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
Section 1: Gastrointestinal System – Anatomy, Physiology, and Health History
Section 2: Gastrointestinal System – Physical Examination Techniques
Section 3: Genitourinary System – Assessment and Clinical Findings
Section 4: Musculoskeletal System – Structure, Function, and Examination
Section 5: Integrated Assessment – Abnormal Findings and Clinical Reasoning
Read each question carefully. Select the best answer for each item.
Section 1: Gastrointestinal System – Anatomy, Physiology, and Health History
Q1
A 58-year-old male presents to the clinic with chronic epigastric burning that worsens after eating spicy
foods. He denies vomiting blood but reports occasional regurgitation. During the health history, which
dietary factor should the nurse identify as most likely aggravating his symptoms?
High intake of caffeinated beverages
Moderate consumption of whole grains
Daily intake of low-fat dairy products
Occasional use of artificial sweeteners
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Caffeine relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and increases gastric acid secretion, which aggravates GERD
symptoms. Whole grains and low-fat dairy are generally well-tolerated and do not significantly affect sphincter tone.
Q2
A 42-year-old female reports a 3-month history of progressive right upper quadrant pain that radiates to
her right shoulder, especially after eating fried foods. She also notes nausea and intolerance to fatty
meals. Which structure is most likely the source of her dysfunction?
Pancreas
Gallbladder
Stomach
Appendix
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Biliary colic from gallbladder dysfunction classically presents as RUQ pain radiating to the right shoulder, exacerbated by
fatty meals. The pancreas typically causes epigastric pain radiating to the back, not the shoulder.
Q3
During a gastrointestinal health history, a 65-year-old patient mentions that his stools have become
black and tarry over the past week. He takes daily aspirin for arthritis. Which gastrointestinal finding
should the nurse prioritize investigating?
Upper GI bleeding
Lower GI bleeding
Hemorrhoidal bleeding
Dietary iron overload
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale:
Melena (black, tarry stools) indicates digested blood from an upper GI source, often associated with aspirin-induced
gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Lower GI bleeding typically produces bright red or maroon stools.
Q4
A 35-year-old woman reports frequent bloating, excessive flatulence, and loose stools after consuming
wheat products. She has no history of celiac disease. During dietary review, which condition should the
nurse consider as a likely explanation?
Lactose intolerance
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause GI symptoms after wheat ingestion without the autoimmune enteropathy seen in
celiac disease. Lactose intolerance would be triggered by dairy, not wheat products.
Q5
A 70-year-old male with a history of chronic constipation reports abdominal distension, absent flatus,
and severe cramping. He has not had a bowel movement in 5 days. Which complication should the
nurse recognize as the most immediate threat?
Fecal impaction with possible obstruction
Diverticulitis
Ischemic colitis
Gastroenteritis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Absent flatus combined with constipation, distension, and cramping suggests a mechanical bowel obstruction, often from
fecal impaction in elderly patients. Diverticulitis typically presents with fever and localized LLQ pain.
Q6
A patient undergoing chemotherapy reports persistent nausea, early satiety, and a burning sensation in
the mouth. The nurse notes inflammation of the oral mucosa with patchy erythema. Which condition
best describes these findings?
Oral candidiasis
Chemotherapy-induced mucositis
Herpes simplex stomatitis
Aphthous ulceration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Chemotherapy-induced mucositis presents with diffuse oral inflammation, burning, and early satiety due to mucosal
damage. Oral candidiasis typically shows white, removable plaques, while HSV presents with vesicular lesions.
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 4
Galen | 2026/2027 | Health
Assessment | GI, GU,
Musculoskeletal
A+ Verified | Edition: 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80%
COVER PAGE - 1
,SECTIONS COVERED
Section 1: Gastrointestinal System – Anatomy, Physiology, and Health History
Section 2: Gastrointestinal System – Physical Examination Techniques
Section 3: Genitourinary System – Assessment and Clinical Findings
Section 4: Musculoskeletal System – Structure, Function, and Examination
Section 5: Integrated Assessment – Abnormal Findings and Clinical Reasoning
Read each question carefully. Select the best answer for each item.
Section 1: Gastrointestinal System – Anatomy, Physiology, and Health History
Q1
A 58-year-old male presents to the clinic with chronic epigastric burning that worsens after eating spicy
foods. He denies vomiting blood but reports occasional regurgitation. During the health history, which
dietary factor should the nurse identify as most likely aggravating his symptoms?
High intake of caffeinated beverages
Moderate consumption of whole grains
Daily intake of low-fat dairy products
Occasional use of artificial sweeteners
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Caffeine relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and increases gastric acid secretion, which aggravates GERD
symptoms. Whole grains and low-fat dairy are generally well-tolerated and do not significantly affect sphincter tone.
Q2
A 42-year-old female reports a 3-month history of progressive right upper quadrant pain that radiates to
her right shoulder, especially after eating fried foods. She also notes nausea and intolerance to fatty
meals. Which structure is most likely the source of her dysfunction?
Pancreas
Gallbladder
Stomach
Appendix
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Biliary colic from gallbladder dysfunction classically presents as RUQ pain radiating to the right shoulder, exacerbated by
fatty meals. The pancreas typically causes epigastric pain radiating to the back, not the shoulder.
Q3
During a gastrointestinal health history, a 65-year-old patient mentions that his stools have become
black and tarry over the past week. He takes daily aspirin for arthritis. Which gastrointestinal finding
should the nurse prioritize investigating?
Upper GI bleeding
Lower GI bleeding
Hemorrhoidal bleeding
Dietary iron overload
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale:
Melena (black, tarry stools) indicates digested blood from an upper GI source, often associated with aspirin-induced
gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. Lower GI bleeding typically produces bright red or maroon stools.
Q4
A 35-year-old woman reports frequent bloating, excessive flatulence, and loose stools after consuming
wheat products. She has no history of celiac disease. During dietary review, which condition should the
nurse consider as a likely explanation?
Lactose intolerance
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause GI symptoms after wheat ingestion without the autoimmune enteropathy seen in
celiac disease. Lactose intolerance would be triggered by dairy, not wheat products.
Q5
A 70-year-old male with a history of chronic constipation reports abdominal distension, absent flatus,
and severe cramping. He has not had a bowel movement in 5 days. Which complication should the
nurse recognize as the most immediate threat?
Fecal impaction with possible obstruction
Diverticulitis
Ischemic colitis
Gastroenteritis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Absent flatus combined with constipation, distension, and cramping suggests a mechanical bowel obstruction, often from
fecal impaction in elderly patients. Diverticulitis typically presents with fever and localized LLQ pain.
Q6
A patient undergoing chemotherapy reports persistent nausea, early satiety, and a burning sensation in
the mouth. The nurse notes inflammation of the oral mucosa with patchy erythema. Which condition
best describes these findings?
Oral candidiasis
Chemotherapy-induced mucositis
Herpes simplex stomatitis
Aphthous ulceration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Chemotherapy-induced mucositis presents with diffuse oral inflammation, burning, and early satiety due to mucosal
damage. Oral candidiasis typically shows white, removable plaques, while HSV presents with vesicular lesions.
