Gastrointestinal Nursing NCLEX-Style
Practice Exam Review
Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Nursing
Practice Examination
1. A patient with a new colostomy is being discharged. Which statement by the patient indicates
understanding of stoma care?
A) "I will change the appliance every 3-5 days"
B) "I will cut the wafer slightly larger than my stoma"
C) "I will empty the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full"
D) "All of the above"
Answer: D) "All of the above"
Rationale: Stoma care includes changing the appliance every 3-5 days or when leaking, cutting the wafer
slightly larger than the stoma (about 1/8 inch) to prevent skin irritation, and emptying the pouch when
one-third to one-half full to prevent leakage. All of these statements indicate understanding.
2. A patient is diagnosed with appendicitis. Which finding is most consistent with this condition?
A) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
B) Generalized abdominal pain
C) Pain that decreases with movement
D) Constipation
Answer: A) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Rebound tenderness (pain upon release of pressure) in the right lower quadrant is a classic
sign of appendicitis. The pain typically begins periumbilically and migrates to the right lower quadrant.
Pain increases with movement, and constipation is a nonspecific symptom.
3. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with this
diagnosis?
A) Elevated serum amylase
B) Elevated serum glucose
, C) Elevated serum calcium
D) Elevated serum bilirubin
Answer: A) Elevated serum amylase
Rationale: Elevated serum amylase and lipase are the most specific laboratory findings for acute
pancreatitis. Glucose may be elevated due to pancreatic damage, but amylase and lipase are the
diagnostic markers. Calcium may be decreased (saponification), and bilirubin may be elevated if there is
biliary obstruction.
4. A patient is prescribed an antiemetic for nausea and vomiting. Which medication is an antiemetic?
A) Ondansetron
B) Omeprazole
C) Metoclopramide
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
Rationale: Ondansetron (Zofran) and metoclopramide (Reglan) are both antiemetics. Omeprazole is a
proton pump inhibitor used for GERD and peptic ulcer disease, not primarily for nausea and vomiting.
5. A patient is diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A) "Elevate the head of your bed"
B) "Avoid lying down for 2-3 hours after meals"
C) "Avoid foods that trigger reflux"
D) "All of the above"
Answer: D) "All of the above"
Rationale: GERD management includes elevating the head of the bed, avoiding lying down after meals,
and avoiding trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic foods). All of these interventions are important for
reducing reflux.
6. A patient is diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Which finding is most concerning?
A) Epigastric pain
B) Nausea
C) Hematemesis
D) Heartburn
Answer: C) Hematemesis
Practice Exam Review
Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Nursing
Practice Examination
1. A patient with a new colostomy is being discharged. Which statement by the patient indicates
understanding of stoma care?
A) "I will change the appliance every 3-5 days"
B) "I will cut the wafer slightly larger than my stoma"
C) "I will empty the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full"
D) "All of the above"
Answer: D) "All of the above"
Rationale: Stoma care includes changing the appliance every 3-5 days or when leaking, cutting the wafer
slightly larger than the stoma (about 1/8 inch) to prevent skin irritation, and emptying the pouch when
one-third to one-half full to prevent leakage. All of these statements indicate understanding.
2. A patient is diagnosed with appendicitis. Which finding is most consistent with this condition?
A) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
B) Generalized abdominal pain
C) Pain that decreases with movement
D) Constipation
Answer: A) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Rebound tenderness (pain upon release of pressure) in the right lower quadrant is a classic
sign of appendicitis. The pain typically begins periumbilically and migrates to the right lower quadrant.
Pain increases with movement, and constipation is a nonspecific symptom.
3. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with this
diagnosis?
A) Elevated serum amylase
B) Elevated serum glucose
, C) Elevated serum calcium
D) Elevated serum bilirubin
Answer: A) Elevated serum amylase
Rationale: Elevated serum amylase and lipase are the most specific laboratory findings for acute
pancreatitis. Glucose may be elevated due to pancreatic damage, but amylase and lipase are the
diagnostic markers. Calcium may be decreased (saponification), and bilirubin may be elevated if there is
biliary obstruction.
4. A patient is prescribed an antiemetic for nausea and vomiting. Which medication is an antiemetic?
A) Ondansetron
B) Omeprazole
C) Metoclopramide
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
Rationale: Ondansetron (Zofran) and metoclopramide (Reglan) are both antiemetics. Omeprazole is a
proton pump inhibitor used for GERD and peptic ulcer disease, not primarily for nausea and vomiting.
5. A patient is diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A) "Elevate the head of your bed"
B) "Avoid lying down for 2-3 hours after meals"
C) "Avoid foods that trigger reflux"
D) "All of the above"
Answer: D) "All of the above"
Rationale: GERD management includes elevating the head of the bed, avoiding lying down after meals,
and avoiding trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic foods). All of these interventions are important for
reducing reflux.
6. A patient is diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Which finding is most concerning?
A) Epigastric pain
B) Nausea
C) Hematemesis
D) Heartburn
Answer: C) Hematemesis
