ATI RN Targeted Medical-
Surgical Gastrointestinal
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
Section 1: Gastrointestinal Assessment and Basic Concepts
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports abdominal pain. Which
assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Palpate the abdomen
B. Auscultate bowel sounds
C. Ask about the client's last meal
D. Inspect the abdomen
Answer: B. Auscultate bowel sounds
Rationale: Abdominal auscultation should occur before palpation
because palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a client with acute
abdominal pain?
,A. Mild nausea
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
C. Board-like abdominal rigidity
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Board-like abdominal rigidity
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen can indicate peritonitis and
requires immediate evaluation.
3. A client reports right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea,
and anorexia. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis
C. Pancreatitis
D. Gastritis
Answer: B. Appendicitis
Rationale: Right lower quadrant pain with nausea and anorexia is
characteristic of appendicitis.
4. Which finding is commonly associated with appendicitis?
A. Pain relieved by eating
B. Left upper quadrant tenderness
C. Rebound tenderness
D. Painless jaundice
Answer: C. Rebound tenderness
Rationale: Rebound tenderness can occur when the inflamed
appendix irritates the peritoneum.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected appendicitis. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. IV fluids
B. NPO status
C. Analgesic medication
D. Heating pad to the abdomen
Answer: D. Heating pad to the abdomen
Rationale: Heat can increase blood flow and may contribute to
rupture of an inflamed appendix.
6. Which stool characteristic should the nurse recognize as melena?
A. Bright red blood mixed with stool
B. Black, tarry stool
C. Clay-colored stool
D. Green, watery stool
Answer: B. Black, tarry stool
Rationale: Melena is black, tarry stool caused by digested blood,
commonly from an upper GI bleed.
7. A client has hematemesis. What does this finding indicate?
A. Blood in the urine
B. Blood in vomitus
C. Blood in the stool
D. Blood in respiratory secretions
Answer: B. Blood in vomitus
Rationale: Hematemesis refers to vomiting blood and can indicate
upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
, 8. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of gastrointestinal
bleeding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Hypertension and bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: B. Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Significant blood loss can produce compensatory
tachycardia followed by hypotension.
9. Which laboratory value is especially important when evaluating a
client with suspected GI bleeding?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Calcium
C. Albumin only
D. Amylase only
Answer: A. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Hemoglobin and hematocrit help evaluate the extent of
blood loss.
10. Which symptom is most characteristic of dysphagia?
A. Difficulty swallowing
B. Painful urination
C. Abdominal distention
D. Excessive defecation
Answer: A. Difficulty swallowing
Surgical Gastrointestinal
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
Section 1: Gastrointestinal Assessment and Basic Concepts
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports abdominal pain. Which
assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Palpate the abdomen
B. Auscultate bowel sounds
C. Ask about the client's last meal
D. Inspect the abdomen
Answer: B. Auscultate bowel sounds
Rationale: Abdominal auscultation should occur before palpation
because palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a client with acute
abdominal pain?
,A. Mild nausea
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
C. Board-like abdominal rigidity
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Board-like abdominal rigidity
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen can indicate peritonitis and
requires immediate evaluation.
3. A client reports right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea,
and anorexia. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis
C. Pancreatitis
D. Gastritis
Answer: B. Appendicitis
Rationale: Right lower quadrant pain with nausea and anorexia is
characteristic of appendicitis.
4. Which finding is commonly associated with appendicitis?
A. Pain relieved by eating
B. Left upper quadrant tenderness
C. Rebound tenderness
D. Painless jaundice
Answer: C. Rebound tenderness
Rationale: Rebound tenderness can occur when the inflamed
appendix irritates the peritoneum.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected appendicitis. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. IV fluids
B. NPO status
C. Analgesic medication
D. Heating pad to the abdomen
Answer: D. Heating pad to the abdomen
Rationale: Heat can increase blood flow and may contribute to
rupture of an inflamed appendix.
6. Which stool characteristic should the nurse recognize as melena?
A. Bright red blood mixed with stool
B. Black, tarry stool
C. Clay-colored stool
D. Green, watery stool
Answer: B. Black, tarry stool
Rationale: Melena is black, tarry stool caused by digested blood,
commonly from an upper GI bleed.
7. A client has hematemesis. What does this finding indicate?
A. Blood in the urine
B. Blood in vomitus
C. Blood in the stool
D. Blood in respiratory secretions
Answer: B. Blood in vomitus
Rationale: Hematemesis refers to vomiting blood and can indicate
upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
, 8. Which assessment finding is most suggestive of gastrointestinal
bleeding?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Hypertension and bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: B. Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Significant blood loss can produce compensatory
tachycardia followed by hypotension.
9. Which laboratory value is especially important when evaluating a
client with suspected GI bleeding?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Calcium
C. Albumin only
D. Amylase only
Answer: A. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Hemoglobin and hematocrit help evaluate the extent of
blood loss.
10. Which symptom is most characteristic of dysphagia?
A. Difficulty swallowing
B. Painful urination
C. Abdominal distention
D. Excessive defecation
Answer: A. Difficulty swallowing
