HESI RN GASTROINTESTINAL NURSING ACCURATE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease
reports a sudden onset of severe, sharp epigastric
pain that radiates to the back. The client’s abdomen
is rigid and board-like. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed oral antacids.
B. Prepare the client for immediate surgery.
C. Assess the client’s vital signs.
,D. Insert a nasogastric tube to low intermittent
suction.
B. Prepare the client for immediate surgery.
Rationale: The presentation of sudden severe
epigastric pain radiating to the back with a rigid,
board-like abdomen is classic for a perforated
peptic ulcer, which is a surgical emergency. The
priority is to prepare the client for surgical
intervention; while vital signs should be assessed,
this should occur rapidly end route to preparation
for surgery, as delay can lead to fatal peritonitis
and sepsis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis who
develops ascites. Which intervention is most
important to include in the client’s plan of care?
A. Restrict dietary protein intake.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
C. Encourage a high-sodium diet to maintain
electrolyte balance.
D. Increase oral fluid intake to at least 3 liters per
,day.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
Rationale: The primary medical management of
ascites involves sodium restriction and diuretic
therapy, typically spironolactone, to reduce fluid
volume. Dietary protein should be maintained
unless hepatic encephalopathy is present, sodium
should be restricted, and fluid intake is often
limited to 1.5 liters per day, not increased.
3. A client with ulcerative colitis is prescribed
sulfasalazine. Which adverse effect should the nurse
instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Headache.
B. Nausea.
C. Sore throat and fever.
D. Orange-yellow discoloration of urine.
C. Sore throat and fever.
Rationale: Sulfasalazine can cause agranulocytosis,
a potentially fatal blood dyscrasia. The client
should be taught to report signs of infection such
, as sore throat, fever, or unusual bleeding
immediately. Orange-yellow urine is a harmless
side effect, and headache or nausea are common
but not immediately life-threatening.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a nasogastric
(NG) tube to a client with an intestinal obstruction.
Which action is essential to verify correct placement
before initiating tube feeding?
A. Auscultate for air insufflation over the epigastric
area.
B. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH.
C. Confirm the tube is taped securely to the nose.
D. Measure the external length of the tube from the
nose to the ear.
B. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH.
Rationale: The most reliable method to confirm NG
tube placement before feeding is to aspirate
gastric contents and check the pH, which should be
≤ 5.0. Auscultation for air insufflation is no longer
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL
POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL ELABORATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027 CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION Q&A GUARANTEED PASS A+
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease
reports a sudden onset of severe, sharp epigastric
pain that radiates to the back. The client’s abdomen
is rigid and board-like. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed oral antacids.
B. Prepare the client for immediate surgery.
C. Assess the client’s vital signs.
,D. Insert a nasogastric tube to low intermittent
suction.
B. Prepare the client for immediate surgery.
Rationale: The presentation of sudden severe
epigastric pain radiating to the back with a rigid,
board-like abdomen is classic for a perforated
peptic ulcer, which is a surgical emergency. The
priority is to prepare the client for surgical
intervention; while vital signs should be assessed,
this should occur rapidly end route to preparation
for surgery, as delay can lead to fatal peritonitis
and sepsis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis who
develops ascites. Which intervention is most
important to include in the client’s plan of care?
A. Restrict dietary protein intake.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
C. Encourage a high-sodium diet to maintain
electrolyte balance.
D. Increase oral fluid intake to at least 3 liters per
,day.
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
Rationale: The primary medical management of
ascites involves sodium restriction and diuretic
therapy, typically spironolactone, to reduce fluid
volume. Dietary protein should be maintained
unless hepatic encephalopathy is present, sodium
should be restricted, and fluid intake is often
limited to 1.5 liters per day, not increased.
3. A client with ulcerative colitis is prescribed
sulfasalazine. Which adverse effect should the nurse
instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Headache.
B. Nausea.
C. Sore throat and fever.
D. Orange-yellow discoloration of urine.
C. Sore throat and fever.
Rationale: Sulfasalazine can cause agranulocytosis,
a potentially fatal blood dyscrasia. The client
should be taught to report signs of infection such
, as sore throat, fever, or unusual bleeding
immediately. Orange-yellow urine is a harmless
side effect, and headache or nausea are common
but not immediately life-threatening.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a nasogastric
(NG) tube to a client with an intestinal obstruction.
Which action is essential to verify correct placement
before initiating tube feeding?
A. Auscultate for air insufflation over the epigastric
area.
B. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH.
C. Confirm the tube is taped securely to the nose.
D. Measure the external length of the tube from the
nose to the ear.
B. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH.
Rationale: The most reliable method to confirm NG
tube placement before feeding is to aspirate
gastric contents and check the pH, which should be
≤ 5.0. Auscultation for air insufflation is no longer
