Comprehensive Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Nursing Assessment, Liver and Spleen Palpation, Abdominal Muscle Relaxation Techniques, Bowel Sound Auscultation, Percussion and Palpation Methods, Rebound Tenderness, Rovsing and Psoas Signs, Hernia and Ascite

Comprehensive Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Nursing Assessment, Liver and Spleen Palpation, Abdominal Muscle Relaxation Techniques, Bowel Sound Auscultation, Percussion and Palpation Methods, Rebound Tenderness, Rovsing and Psoas Signs, Hernia and Ascites Evaluation, Gallbladder and Pancreatic Function, Peptic Ulcer and Colon Disease Screening, Constipation and Paralytic Ileus Assessment, Abdominal Distention Causes, Nutritional and Hydration Considerations, Postoperative Colostomy Care, Risk Assessment for Internal Bleeding, Abdominal Mass Identification, Urinary and Bladder Evaluation, Health Promotion and Lifestyle Education, High-Yield NCLEX Gastrointestinal Review Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 1. During deep palpation of the client's abdomen, the nurse identifies a soft, nontender, solid mass extending 2 to 3 cm below the right costal margin. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate? A) Refer the client for medical follow-up. B) Evaluate further for a problem with the spleen. C) Assess urinary output. D) Document the position of the liver. D) Document the position of the liver. 2. When reviewing the medications currently taken by a 50-year-old client who is complaining of constipation, teaching is indicated when the nurse notes which medication? A) Vitamin supplement with iron B) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug C) Antidepressant D) Hormone replacement A) Vitamin supplement with iron 3. A group of students is preparing for their clinical experience, during which they are required to demonstrate the techniques for assessing the abdomen. The students demonstrate understanding of the proper sequence when they demonstrate the techniques in which order? A) Palpate, percuss, inspect, auscultate B) Auscultate, inspect, palpate, percuss C) Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate D) Percuss, inspect, auscultate, palpate C) Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate 4. To promote relaxation of the client's abdominal muscles, which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to do? A) Encourage the client to hold his or her breath. B) Cover the client in a warm blanket. C) Place a pillow under both of the client's knees. D) Assure the client that painful areas will not be examined. C) Place a pillow under both of the client's knees. 5. A nurse suspects intra-abdominal bleeding in a client who was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident. Which finding would most likely lead the nurse to this suspicion? A) Tenderness on palpation B) Diastasis recti C) Cullen's sign D) Tympany on percussion C) Cullen's sign 6. A young adult male who comes to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain for the past 3 days is suspected of having a ruptured appendix. The nurse auscultates the client's bowel sounds, noting them to be which of the following? A) Normoactive B) Hyperactive C) Hypoactive D) Absent D) Absent 7. The nurse is percussing a client's liver and is assessing liver descent. The nurse should have the client do which of the following? A) Cough forcefully B) Hold the breath C) Breathe in and out deeply D) Perform the Valsalva maneuver B) Hold the breath 8. A nurse determines that the liver span of an older adult male client measures 6 cm. The nurse would interpret this as indicating which of the following? A) It is a normal-sized liver. B) The liver is larger than normal. C) It is a smaller-than-normal liver. D) The liver has atrophied. A) It is a normal-sized liver. 9. Which of the following should a nurse suspect if dullness is percussed at the last left interspace at the anterior axillary line on deep inspiration? A) Hepatomegaly B) Splenomegaly C) Abdominal mass D) Intestinal air B) Splenomegaly 10. While assessing a client's abdomen, the nurse observes involuntary reflex guarding on expiration. The nurse would interpret this as most likely indicating which of the following? A) Hernia B) Malignancy C) Infection D) Aneurysm C) Infection 11. The nurse is preparing to assess the size of the client's aorta. The nurse should palpate at which location? A) Midline at the umbilicus B) Deep epigastrium to the left of midline C) Slightly above the suprapubic area D) Between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis B) Deep epigastrium to the left of midline 12. During palpation of the client's abdomen, the nurse feels a prominent, nontender, pulsating 6-cm mass above the umbilicus. What action should the nurse take? A) Refer the client to an oncologist. B) Provide a dietician consult for the client. C) Counsel the client regarding hernia repair. D) Stop palpating and get medical assistance. D) Stop palpating and get medical assistance. 13. A nurse is preparing to palpate a client's spleen. Which position should the nurse use to best facilitate palpation? A) Sitting upright B) Prone C) Semi-Fowler's D) Right side-lying D) Right side-lying 14. A client's bladder is found to be distended. At which location should the nurse begin palpating? A) At the umbilicus B) At the symphysis pubis C) In the right lower quadrant D) In the left lower quadrant B) At the symphysis pubis 15. The nurse is evaluating a new nursing graduate's ability to perform a rebound tenderness test for suspected appendicitis. The nurse identifies correct technique when the new graduate is observed pressing deeply at which abdominal location? A) Right upper quadrant B) Left upper quadrant C) Right lower quadrant D) Left lower quadrant C) Right lower quadrant 16. The nurse demonstrates the correct technique for assessing the psoas sign by which action? A) Applying deep palpation pressure to the client's right lower quadrant, then suddenly releasing