ATI Medical-Surgical Gastrointestinal Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Lie down immediately after eating.
B. Eat large meals three times daily.
C. Remain upright for at least 2 to 3 hr after meals.
D. Drink peppermint tea before bedtime.
Rationale: Remaining upright after meals decreases the
likelihood that gastric contents will reflux into the esophagus.
Gravity helps keep gastric contents in the stomach. Large meals,
lying down after eating, and peppermint can worsen reflux
symptoms. Clients should generally eat smaller meals, avoid
known triggers, and elevate the head of the bed when nighttime
symptoms occur.
,2. A nurse is assessing a client who has peptic ulcer disease.
Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible
indication of gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Increased appetite
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Clay-colored stools
D. Bright yellow urine
Rationale: Melena, or black, tarry stool, can indicate bleeding in
the upper gastrointestinal tract. Blood is altered as it passes
through the gastrointestinal tract, producing the characteristic
dark appearance. The nurse should assess for additional
manifestations such as weakness, dizziness, tachycardia,
hypotension, and decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit.
3. A client with a suspected perforated peptic ulcer develops
sudden severe abdominal pain and a rigid abdomen. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Offer oral fluids.
B. Administer a laxative.
C. Encourage ambulation.
D. Notify the provider immediately and prepare for emergency
management.
,Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with abdominal
rigidity can indicate perforation and peritonitis, which is a
potentially life-threatening complication. The client should be
kept NPO, closely monitored, and evaluated urgently. Oral
intake, laxatives, and unnecessary movement can delay
treatment or worsen the condition.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a hiatal hernia. Which
statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should eat one large meal before bedtime."
B. "I should lie flat after meals."
C. "I will avoid meals shortly before going to bed."
D. "I should increase my intake of foods that trigger reflux."
Rationale: Avoiding food for several hours before bedtime
reduces gastric volume and decreases the likelihood of reflux
when the client is recumbent. Smaller meals, weight
management when appropriate, avoidance of trigger foods,
and elevation of the head of the bed can also reduce symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has an NG tube connected
to low intermittent suction. The client reports increasing
nausea. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Remove the NG tube.
B. Give the client water.
C. Clamp the tube for 1 hr.
D. Assess the tube for patency and verify that suction is
functioning.
Rationale: Increasing nausea in a client receiving gastric
decompression can indicate that the tube is obstructed,
displaced, or not functioning properly. The nurse should assess
the system, tubing, connections, prescribed suction settings, and
tube placement according to facility policy. Providing oral fluids
or clamping the tube without an order can worsen gastric
distention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a small bowel
obstruction. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Increased stool production
B. Abdominal distention and vomiting
C. Continuous painless diarrhea
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Intestinal obstruction prevents the normal passage of
gastrointestinal contents and can produce abdominal distention,
cramping, nausea, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or flatus.
A small bowel obstruction can produce significant fluid and
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Lie down immediately after eating.
B. Eat large meals three times daily.
C. Remain upright for at least 2 to 3 hr after meals.
D. Drink peppermint tea before bedtime.
Rationale: Remaining upright after meals decreases the
likelihood that gastric contents will reflux into the esophagus.
Gravity helps keep gastric contents in the stomach. Large meals,
lying down after eating, and peppermint can worsen reflux
symptoms. Clients should generally eat smaller meals, avoid
known triggers, and elevate the head of the bed when nighttime
symptoms occur.
,2. A nurse is assessing a client who has peptic ulcer disease.
Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible
indication of gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Increased appetite
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Clay-colored stools
D. Bright yellow urine
Rationale: Melena, or black, tarry stool, can indicate bleeding in
the upper gastrointestinal tract. Blood is altered as it passes
through the gastrointestinal tract, producing the characteristic
dark appearance. The nurse should assess for additional
manifestations such as weakness, dizziness, tachycardia,
hypotension, and decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit.
3. A client with a suspected perforated peptic ulcer develops
sudden severe abdominal pain and a rigid abdomen. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Offer oral fluids.
B. Administer a laxative.
C. Encourage ambulation.
D. Notify the provider immediately and prepare for emergency
management.
,Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with abdominal
rigidity can indicate perforation and peritonitis, which is a
potentially life-threatening complication. The client should be
kept NPO, closely monitored, and evaluated urgently. Oral
intake, laxatives, and unnecessary movement can delay
treatment or worsen the condition.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a hiatal hernia. Which
statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I should eat one large meal before bedtime."
B. "I should lie flat after meals."
C. "I will avoid meals shortly before going to bed."
D. "I should increase my intake of foods that trigger reflux."
Rationale: Avoiding food for several hours before bedtime
reduces gastric volume and decreases the likelihood of reflux
when the client is recumbent. Smaller meals, weight
management when appropriate, avoidance of trigger foods,
and elevation of the head of the bed can also reduce symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has an NG tube connected
to low intermittent suction. The client reports increasing
nausea. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Remove the NG tube.
B. Give the client water.
C. Clamp the tube for 1 hr.
D. Assess the tube for patency and verify that suction is
functioning.
Rationale: Increasing nausea in a client receiving gastric
decompression can indicate that the tube is obstructed,
displaced, or not functioning properly. The nurse should assess
the system, tubing, connections, prescribed suction settings, and
tube placement according to facility policy. Providing oral fluids
or clamping the tube without an order can worsen gastric
distention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a small bowel
obstruction. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Increased stool production
B. Abdominal distention and vomiting
C. Continuous painless diarrhea
D. Increased appetite
Rationale: Intestinal obstruction prevents the normal passage of
gastrointestinal contents and can produce abdominal distention,
cramping, nausea, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or flatus.
A small bowel obstruction can produce significant fluid and
