NSG 3800 (Adult Health II) Exam 3 gastrointestinal
(GI), renal/urinary,Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (Adult Health II: GI, Renal, Post-Op)
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR.pdf
Short Overview / Coverage:
This study guide provides 100 exam-style practice questions aligned with NSG 3800
(Adult Health II) Exam 3 content. Questions focus on gastrointestinal disorders (GERD,
PUD, IBD, diverticulitis, obstruction, pancreatitis, liver disease), renal/urinary conditions
(AKI, CKD, ESRD, UTIs, nephrolithiasis, incontinence, urinary diversions), and
post-operative/surgical complications (bowel perforation, peritonitis, ostomy care, NG
tubes, post-GI surgery care). Each item includes a clear question, concise answer, and
rationale to reinforce critical thinking, priority setting, and nursing interventions for adult
medical-surgical patients. Ideal for exam review, cumulative test prep, and NCLEX-style
practice.
Q1. A patient with chronic diarrhea is being assessed for potential complications.
Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for most closely in this clinical
situation?*
Answer: The nurse should monitor most closely for hypokalemia.
Explanation: Chronic diarrhea causes loss of potassium in stool, leading to low serum
potassium levels.
Q2. A patient with suspected bowel obstruction has worsening abdominal pain and
distension. What is the priority nursing intervention while awaiting further provider
orders?*
,Answer: The priority intervention is to keep the patient NPO and prepare for possible NG
tube insertion.
Explanation: NPO status prevents further accumulation; NG decompression relieves
pressure and vomiting.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a patient how to take psyllium for diverticulitis prevention.
What specific instructions should the nurse include about fluid intake?*
Answer: The nurse should instruct the patient to take psyllium with 8 oz of water followed
by another 8 oz.
Explanation: Adequate fluid prevents esophageal impaction and helps fiber work effectively
in the bowel.
Q4. A postoperative patient who had a hiatal hernia repair reports sudden severe
epigastric pain. What is the most appropriate nursing action in this situation?*
Answer: The nurse should immediately notify the healthcare provider.
Explanation: Sudden severe pain may indicate obstruction, perforation, or other serious
complications.
Q5. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks how to adjust meal
timing to reduce symptoms. What teaching should the nurse provide?*
Answer: The nurse should teach the patient to avoid eating within 2–3 hours of bedtime.
Explanation: Lying down soon after eating increases reflux; allowing time for gastric
emptying reduces symptoms.
, Q6. A patient with a peptic ulcer is being monitored for signs of gastrointestinal
bleeding. Which stool finding is most suggestive of an upper GI bleed?*
Answer: Black, tarry stools (melena) are most suggestive of an upper GI bleed.
Explanation: Blood digested in the stomach and intestines turns stool dark and tarry.
Q7. A patient with Crohn’s disease is at high risk for malnutrition. What nursing
assessment finding best reflects this risk?*
Answer: Low serum albumin and unintended weight loss best reflect malnutrition risk.
Explanation: Inflammation and malabsorption in Crohn’s lead to protein loss and poor
nutrient absorption.
Q8. A patient with ulcerative colitis is being assessed for possible toxic megacolon.
Which combination of findings should cause the greatest concern?*
Answer: Fever, severe abdominal distension, and worsening pain should cause the
greatest concern.
Explanation: These signs suggest toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication
requiring urgent intervention.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a patient with an NG tube placed for bowel obstruction.
What position should be maintained to reduce aspiration risk?*
Answer: The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30–45 degrees.
Explanation: Elevation promotes gastric drainage and reduces the risk of reflux and
aspiration.
(GI), renal/urinary,Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales (Adult Health II: GI, Renal, Post-Op)
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR.pdf
Short Overview / Coverage:
This study guide provides 100 exam-style practice questions aligned with NSG 3800
(Adult Health II) Exam 3 content. Questions focus on gastrointestinal disorders (GERD,
PUD, IBD, diverticulitis, obstruction, pancreatitis, liver disease), renal/urinary conditions
(AKI, CKD, ESRD, UTIs, nephrolithiasis, incontinence, urinary diversions), and
post-operative/surgical complications (bowel perforation, peritonitis, ostomy care, NG
tubes, post-GI surgery care). Each item includes a clear question, concise answer, and
rationale to reinforce critical thinking, priority setting, and nursing interventions for adult
medical-surgical patients. Ideal for exam review, cumulative test prep, and NCLEX-style
practice.
Q1. A patient with chronic diarrhea is being assessed for potential complications.
Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for most closely in this clinical
situation?*
Answer: The nurse should monitor most closely for hypokalemia.
Explanation: Chronic diarrhea causes loss of potassium in stool, leading to low serum
potassium levels.
Q2. A patient with suspected bowel obstruction has worsening abdominal pain and
distension. What is the priority nursing intervention while awaiting further provider
orders?*
,Answer: The priority intervention is to keep the patient NPO and prepare for possible NG
tube insertion.
Explanation: NPO status prevents further accumulation; NG decompression relieves
pressure and vomiting.
Q3. A nurse is teaching a patient how to take psyllium for diverticulitis prevention.
What specific instructions should the nurse include about fluid intake?*
Answer: The nurse should instruct the patient to take psyllium with 8 oz of water followed
by another 8 oz.
Explanation: Adequate fluid prevents esophageal impaction and helps fiber work effectively
in the bowel.
Q4. A postoperative patient who had a hiatal hernia repair reports sudden severe
epigastric pain. What is the most appropriate nursing action in this situation?*
Answer: The nurse should immediately notify the healthcare provider.
Explanation: Sudden severe pain may indicate obstruction, perforation, or other serious
complications.
Q5. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks how to adjust meal
timing to reduce symptoms. What teaching should the nurse provide?*
Answer: The nurse should teach the patient to avoid eating within 2–3 hours of bedtime.
Explanation: Lying down soon after eating increases reflux; allowing time for gastric
emptying reduces symptoms.
, Q6. A patient with a peptic ulcer is being monitored for signs of gastrointestinal
bleeding. Which stool finding is most suggestive of an upper GI bleed?*
Answer: Black, tarry stools (melena) are most suggestive of an upper GI bleed.
Explanation: Blood digested in the stomach and intestines turns stool dark and tarry.
Q7. A patient with Crohn’s disease is at high risk for malnutrition. What nursing
assessment finding best reflects this risk?*
Answer: Low serum albumin and unintended weight loss best reflect malnutrition risk.
Explanation: Inflammation and malabsorption in Crohn’s lead to protein loss and poor
nutrient absorption.
Q8. A patient with ulcerative colitis is being assessed for possible toxic megacolon.
Which combination of findings should cause the greatest concern?*
Answer: Fever, severe abdominal distension, and worsening pain should cause the
greatest concern.
Explanation: These signs suggest toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication
requiring urgent intervention.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a patient with an NG tube placed for bowel obstruction.
What position should be maintained to reduce aspiration risk?*
Answer: The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30–45 degrees.
Explanation: Elevation promotes gastric drainage and reduces the risk of reflux and
aspiration.
