PROPHECY RN ENDOSCOPY PRACTICE
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the most appropriate nursing action prior to administering
moderate sedation for an endoscopy?
• Verify procedure consent and assess allergies
• Obtain surgical scrub attire
- Confirm NPO status and baseline vital signs
• Document the patient's insurance information
Ensuring the patient is NPO and obtaining baseline vitals are
essential safety steps prior to sedation.
2. Which of the following findings requires immediate intervention post-
upper endoscopy?
• Mild sore throat
,• Small amount of belching
- Abdominal pain and rigid abdomen
• Mild nausea
A rigid abdomen may indicate perforation, a life-threatening
complication requiring urgent evaluation.
3. Which medication is commonly used for moderate sedation during
endoscopy procedures?
• Haloperidol
- Midazolam
• Metoclopramide
• Ondansetron
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine often used for its sedative and
amnestic properties during procedures.
4. What is the purpose of glucagon during an upper endoscopy?
• Sedation
- Relax smooth muscle and reduce GI spasms
• Prevent aspiration
• Stimulate gastric motility
Glucagon helps reduce GI spasms and improves visualization by
relaxing smooth muscle.
5. Which finding post-colonoscopy should the nurse report immediately?
,• Bloating
• Small amount of blood with first stool
- Continuous rectal bleeding with hypotension
• Fatigue
Profuse bleeding with hypotension could indicate a perforation or
major bleed, requiring urgent care.
6. Which patient condition is most concerning prior to an endoscopy?
• Mild anxiety
• Controlled hypertension
- INR of 4.5 on warfarin
• Type 2 diabetes
An INR of 4.5 indicates a high bleeding risk, which could be
dangerous during an invasive procedure.
7. What is the main purpose of using CO₂ instead of room air for
insufflation during endoscopy?
• Cheaper alternative
• Less need for sedation
- Reduced post-procedure bloating and discomfort
• Enhances image clarity
CO₂ is absorbed more rapidly than air, reducing post-procedural
bloating and pain.
, 8. During colonoscopy, a nurse notes a drop in oxygen saturation to 85%.
What is the best immediate response?
• Increase IV fluids
- Administer oxygen and assess airway
• Document the finding
• Call the family
Oxygen desaturation requires immediate airway management and
supplemental oxygen.
9. Which of the following is the best position for a colonoscopy
procedure?
• Supine
- Left lateral decubitus
• Right lateral
• Trendelenburg
Left lateral position allows optimal visualization and maneuverability
of the colonoscope.
10. What is the purpose of polyethylene glycol before colonoscopy?
• Relieve nausea
• Treat infection
- Cleanse the colon
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the most appropriate nursing action prior to administering
moderate sedation for an endoscopy?
• Verify procedure consent and assess allergies
• Obtain surgical scrub attire
- Confirm NPO status and baseline vital signs
• Document the patient's insurance information
Ensuring the patient is NPO and obtaining baseline vitals are
essential safety steps prior to sedation.
2. Which of the following findings requires immediate intervention post-
upper endoscopy?
• Mild sore throat
,• Small amount of belching
- Abdominal pain and rigid abdomen
• Mild nausea
A rigid abdomen may indicate perforation, a life-threatening
complication requiring urgent evaluation.
3. Which medication is commonly used for moderate sedation during
endoscopy procedures?
• Haloperidol
- Midazolam
• Metoclopramide
• Ondansetron
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine often used for its sedative and
amnestic properties during procedures.
4. What is the purpose of glucagon during an upper endoscopy?
• Sedation
- Relax smooth muscle and reduce GI spasms
• Prevent aspiration
• Stimulate gastric motility
Glucagon helps reduce GI spasms and improves visualization by
relaxing smooth muscle.
5. Which finding post-colonoscopy should the nurse report immediately?
,• Bloating
• Small amount of blood with first stool
- Continuous rectal bleeding with hypotension
• Fatigue
Profuse bleeding with hypotension could indicate a perforation or
major bleed, requiring urgent care.
6. Which patient condition is most concerning prior to an endoscopy?
• Mild anxiety
• Controlled hypertension
- INR of 4.5 on warfarin
• Type 2 diabetes
An INR of 4.5 indicates a high bleeding risk, which could be
dangerous during an invasive procedure.
7. What is the main purpose of using CO₂ instead of room air for
insufflation during endoscopy?
• Cheaper alternative
• Less need for sedation
- Reduced post-procedure bloating and discomfort
• Enhances image clarity
CO₂ is absorbed more rapidly than air, reducing post-procedural
bloating and pain.
, 8. During colonoscopy, a nurse notes a drop in oxygen saturation to 85%.
What is the best immediate response?
• Increase IV fluids
- Administer oxygen and assess airway
• Document the finding
• Call the family
Oxygen desaturation requires immediate airway management and
supplemental oxygen.
9. Which of the following is the best position for a colonoscopy
procedure?
• Supine
- Left lateral decubitus
• Right lateral
• Trendelenburg
Left lateral position allows optimal visualization and maneuverability
of the colonoscope.
10. What is the purpose of polyethylene glycol before colonoscopy?
• Relieve nausea
• Treat infection
- Cleanse the colon
