Nursing 354 Gastrointestinal Nursing
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Left upper quadrant pain after eating
B. Right lower quadrant abdominal pain
C. Painless rectal bleeding
D. Epigastric pain relieved by food
Answer: Right lower quadrant abdominal pain
Rationale: Appendicitis classically produces pain that localizes to the right lower
quadrant as inflammation progresses.
Question 2
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with gastrointestinal
bleeding?
A. Mild nausea
B. Increased bowel sounds
,C. Hypotension and tachycardia
D. Occasional abdominal cramping
Answer: Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia may indicate significant blood loss and
hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 3
A client with peptic ulcer disease reports sudden severe abdominal pain and a
rigid abdomen. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Gastric perforation
C. Mild gastritis
D. Gastroesophageal reflux
Answer: Gastric perforation
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen is
highly concerning for perforation and peritonitis.
Question 4
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client with gastroesophageal
reflux disease?
A. Eat large meals before bedtime
B. Lie flat immediately after eating
C. Avoid meals close to bedtime
D. Increase high-fat foods
Answer: Avoid meals close to bedtime
Rationale: Remaining upright after meals and avoiding food shortly before
bedtime can reduce reflux episodes.
,Question 5
A client with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth. Which complication is
most likely?
A. Ascites
B. Dysphagia
C. Appendicitis
D. Diverticulitis
Answer: Ascites
Rationale: Portal hypertension and reduced plasma oncotic pressure associated
with cirrhosis can cause fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, known as
ascites.
Question 6
Which laboratory value is particularly useful when assessing liver function?
A. Troponin
B. Alanine aminotransferase
C. Creatine kinase
D. Amylase
Answer: Alanine aminotransferase
Rationale: Alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, is an enzyme associated with
hepatocellular injury and is commonly evaluated when liver dysfunction is
suspected.
Question 7
A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe epigastric pain radiating to the
back. Which laboratory test is most appropriate?
, A. Lipase
B. Troponin
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Answer: Lipase
Rationale: Lipase is a pancreatic enzyme that typically becomes elevated during
acute pancreatitis and is an important diagnostic laboratory test.
Question 8
Which food should a client with pancreatitis generally avoid during recovery?
A. Low-fat foods
B. High-fat fried foods
C. Clear liquids as prescribed
D. Lean protein
Answer: High-fat fried foods
Rationale: High-fat foods increase the digestive demand on the pancreas and
may worsen symptoms.
Question 9
A client with a nasogastric tube connected to suction has which primary purpose?
A. Promote intestinal absorption
B. Decompress the stomach
C. Increase gastric acid production
D. Prevent all bowel movements
Answer: Decompress the stomach
Rationale: Nasogastric suction removes gastric contents and air, helping relieve
distention and vomiting in selected gastrointestinal conditions.
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Left upper quadrant pain after eating
B. Right lower quadrant abdominal pain
C. Painless rectal bleeding
D. Epigastric pain relieved by food
Answer: Right lower quadrant abdominal pain
Rationale: Appendicitis classically produces pain that localizes to the right lower
quadrant as inflammation progresses.
Question 2
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with gastrointestinal
bleeding?
A. Mild nausea
B. Increased bowel sounds
,C. Hypotension and tachycardia
D. Occasional abdominal cramping
Answer: Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia may indicate significant blood loss and
hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 3
A client with peptic ulcer disease reports sudden severe abdominal pain and a
rigid abdomen. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Gastric perforation
C. Mild gastritis
D. Gastroesophageal reflux
Answer: Gastric perforation
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with a rigid, board-like abdomen is
highly concerning for perforation and peritonitis.
Question 4
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client with gastroesophageal
reflux disease?
A. Eat large meals before bedtime
B. Lie flat immediately after eating
C. Avoid meals close to bedtime
D. Increase high-fat foods
Answer: Avoid meals close to bedtime
Rationale: Remaining upright after meals and avoiding food shortly before
bedtime can reduce reflux episodes.
,Question 5
A client with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth. Which complication is
most likely?
A. Ascites
B. Dysphagia
C. Appendicitis
D. Diverticulitis
Answer: Ascites
Rationale: Portal hypertension and reduced plasma oncotic pressure associated
with cirrhosis can cause fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, known as
ascites.
Question 6
Which laboratory value is particularly useful when assessing liver function?
A. Troponin
B. Alanine aminotransferase
C. Creatine kinase
D. Amylase
Answer: Alanine aminotransferase
Rationale: Alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, is an enzyme associated with
hepatocellular injury and is commonly evaluated when liver dysfunction is
suspected.
Question 7
A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe epigastric pain radiating to the
back. Which laboratory test is most appropriate?
, A. Lipase
B. Troponin
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Answer: Lipase
Rationale: Lipase is a pancreatic enzyme that typically becomes elevated during
acute pancreatitis and is an important diagnostic laboratory test.
Question 8
Which food should a client with pancreatitis generally avoid during recovery?
A. Low-fat foods
B. High-fat fried foods
C. Clear liquids as prescribed
D. Lean protein
Answer: High-fat fried foods
Rationale: High-fat foods increase the digestive demand on the pancreas and
may worsen symptoms.
Question 9
A client with a nasogastric tube connected to suction has which primary purpose?
A. Promote intestinal absorption
B. Decompress the stomach
C. Increase gastric acid production
D. Prevent all bowel movements
Answer: Decompress the stomach
Rationale: Nasogastric suction removes gastric contents and air, helping relieve
distention and vomiting in selected gastrointestinal conditions.
