NSG 434 Exam 2 (2026) – Nursing Care of
Children: 150 Actual Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Grand Canyon
University
Section 1: Gastrointestinal Disorders (Questions 1–50)
1. A 5-year-old patient comes in with crampy abdominal pain,
inconsolable crying, drawing their knees to their chest, with red currant
jelly-like stool. What is going to be a nursing intervention done for this
patient?
A) Blood transfusion
B) Ambulation to relieve the bowel of gas
C) Electrolyte replacement to stop the cramping
D) Gas enema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: These patients are experiencing a bowel telescope into another
segment (intussusception). It is a common cause for intestinal
obstruction. Normal brown stool would indicate that the problem resolved
on its own. A gas enema will help to create pressure to help it untelescope.
2. What is a risk factor for cleft lip/palate?
,A) Not drinking enough milk during pregnancy
B) Folate deficiency
C) Not enough Vitamin D during pregnancy
D) Having a sibling with a cleft palate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that's necessary for
healthy cell growth and development. Folate deficiency is a risk factor for
cleft lip/palate.
3. Which condition would you see a palpable olive-sized mass with?
A) Pyloric stenosis
B) Celiac disease
C) Omphalocele
D) Biliary Atresia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The hypertrophied pylorus causes a palpable olive-sized mass.
Also as it inflames and edema accumulates it results in a complete
obstruction. Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten.
4. A patient asks the nurse to explain what ulcerative colitis is. How
would the nurse answer?
A) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the mouth to rectum
B) An inflammatory bowel disorder that causes acid reflux into the
esophagus
C) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the large intestine to
,the rectum
D) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the stomach to the
rectum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs
from the large intestine to the rectum. Option A is a definition for Crohn's
disease. Option B is similar to GER, but it isn't classified under
inflammatory bowel disorders.
5. An infant has been diagnosed with Hirschsprung. The mother asks
what should I expect my baby's stools to look like with this disorder?
How will the nurse respond?
A) Ribbon-like stool
B) Steatorrhea or fatty-like stool
C) Red currant jelly-like stool
D) Chalky white stool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ribbon-like stool is characteristic of Hirschsprung disease due
to the aganglionic segment preventing normal peristalsis. Steatorrhea is
seen with celiac disease. Red currant jelly-like stool is seen with
intussusception because of intestinal bleeding and intestinal mucous.
Chalky white stool is seen with biliary atresia because of the lack of bile in
the stool.
, 6. What is going to be priority nursing care for a patient with
Gastroschisis?
A) Keep the abdominal contents inside the peritoneal sac moist with a
plastic bag
B) Keep the abdominal contents moist with a plastic bag
C) Prepare the infant for a Nissan fundoplication
D) Manage the child's secretions and keep them NPO
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastroschisis is abdominal contents outside of the body
without a peritoneal sac. The priority is to keep the exposed abdominal
contents moist with a plastic bag. Option A is incorrect because
Omphalocele is the disorder where the abdominal contents are inside a
peritoneal sac. Nissan fundoplication is a last resort surgery for patients
with GER. Option D would be interventions for Esophageal Atresia and
Tracheoesophageal Fistula.
7. What is a complication that can happen from Malrotation?
A) Intussusception of the bowel
B) Infection from bowel sticking out of cavity
C) Short bowel syndrome
D) Bowel obstruction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Malrotation can lead to volvulus, which can cause
intussusception of the bowel. This is a surgical emergency.
Children: 150 Actual Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Grand Canyon
University
Section 1: Gastrointestinal Disorders (Questions 1–50)
1. A 5-year-old patient comes in with crampy abdominal pain,
inconsolable crying, drawing their knees to their chest, with red currant
jelly-like stool. What is going to be a nursing intervention done for this
patient?
A) Blood transfusion
B) Ambulation to relieve the bowel of gas
C) Electrolyte replacement to stop the cramping
D) Gas enema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: These patients are experiencing a bowel telescope into another
segment (intussusception). It is a common cause for intestinal
obstruction. Normal brown stool would indicate that the problem resolved
on its own. A gas enema will help to create pressure to help it untelescope.
2. What is a risk factor for cleft lip/palate?
,A) Not drinking enough milk during pregnancy
B) Folate deficiency
C) Not enough Vitamin D during pregnancy
D) Having a sibling with a cleft palate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that's necessary for
healthy cell growth and development. Folate deficiency is a risk factor for
cleft lip/palate.
3. Which condition would you see a palpable olive-sized mass with?
A) Pyloric stenosis
B) Celiac disease
C) Omphalocele
D) Biliary Atresia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The hypertrophied pylorus causes a palpable olive-sized mass.
Also as it inflames and edema accumulates it results in a complete
obstruction. Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten.
4. A patient asks the nurse to explain what ulcerative colitis is. How
would the nurse answer?
A) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the mouth to rectum
B) An inflammatory bowel disorder that causes acid reflux into the
esophagus
C) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the large intestine to
,the rectum
D) An inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs from the stomach to the
rectum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disorder that occurs
from the large intestine to the rectum. Option A is a definition for Crohn's
disease. Option B is similar to GER, but it isn't classified under
inflammatory bowel disorders.
5. An infant has been diagnosed with Hirschsprung. The mother asks
what should I expect my baby's stools to look like with this disorder?
How will the nurse respond?
A) Ribbon-like stool
B) Steatorrhea or fatty-like stool
C) Red currant jelly-like stool
D) Chalky white stool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ribbon-like stool is characteristic of Hirschsprung disease due
to the aganglionic segment preventing normal peristalsis. Steatorrhea is
seen with celiac disease. Red currant jelly-like stool is seen with
intussusception because of intestinal bleeding and intestinal mucous.
Chalky white stool is seen with biliary atresia because of the lack of bile in
the stool.
, 6. What is going to be priority nursing care for a patient with
Gastroschisis?
A) Keep the abdominal contents inside the peritoneal sac moist with a
plastic bag
B) Keep the abdominal contents moist with a plastic bag
C) Prepare the infant for a Nissan fundoplication
D) Manage the child's secretions and keep them NPO
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastroschisis is abdominal contents outside of the body
without a peritoneal sac. The priority is to keep the exposed abdominal
contents moist with a plastic bag. Option A is incorrect because
Omphalocele is the disorder where the abdominal contents are inside a
peritoneal sac. Nissan fundoplication is a last resort surgery for patients
with GER. Option D would be interventions for Esophageal Atresia and
Tracheoesophageal Fistula.
7. What is a complication that can happen from Malrotation?
A) Intussusception of the bowel
B) Infection from bowel sticking out of cavity
C) Short bowel syndrome
D) Bowel obstruction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Malrotation can lead to volvulus, which can cause
intussusception of the bowel. This is a surgical emergency.
