NUR 170 Med-Surg Exam 4 Practice Exam WITH
ANSWERS 2026
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. A nurse is providing education to a client newly diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD). Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
o A. "I will avoid eating chocolate and drinking coffee."
o B. "I plan to eat my last meal of the day right before I go to sleep."
o C. "I will elevate the head of my bed on 6-inch blocks."
o D. "I should try to eat four to six small meals a day instead of three large ones."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
2. A client with a hiatal hernia asks the nurse to explain the condition. Which statement by the
nurse best describes this diagnosis?
o A. "It is a weakness in the abdominal muscle wall through which a segment of bowel
protrudes."
o B. "It is a backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus due to a weak sphincter."
o C. "It is a condition where a portion of the stomach herniates through the diaphragm and
into the chest."
o D. "It is an ulcer formation in the upper GI tract that affects the lining of the stomach."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
3. A nurse is caring for a client post-operatively following a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
What is the priority nursing action in the immediate post-operative period?
o A. Monitoring for signs of dumping syndrome.
o B. Ensuring the client takes all antibiotics as prescribed.
o C. Maintaining the nasogastric tube (NGT) as ordered and never manipulating or moving it.
o D. Encouraging the client to drink plenty of fluids with meals.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
4. A client is diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. Which assessment finding would the nurse
most expect to see?
o A. Lower abdominal cramping and distention.
, o B. Constipation or ribbon-like stools.
o C. Profuse vomiting and upper abdominal distention.
o D. Metabolic acidosis.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
5. The nurse is providing care for a client with a large bowel obstruction. What intervention is the
nurse expected to prepare the client for?
o A. Administration of a bulk-forming laxative.
o B. Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression.
o C. A high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements.
o D. Encouraging the client to increase physical activity.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
6. A client with a sudden change in abdominal pain from a dull ache to a sharp, severe, generalized
pain is most likely experiencing which complication?
o A. A strangulated hernia.
o B. A GI perforation.
o C. An exacerbation of GERD.
o D. A bowel obstruction.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
7. The nurse knows that teaching for a client with a reducible inguinal hernia has been effective
when the client states:
o A. "I will wear my truss over the hernia site only when I am sleeping."
o B. "It is okay for me to lift heavy boxes as long as I bend at the knees."
o C. "I will call my doctor if the hernia becomes painful and cannot be pushed back in."
o D. "If I have trouble urinating after surgery, I should push with force to empty my bladder."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
8. Which of the following is a known risk factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?
o A. A diet high in spicy foods.
o B. Chronic stress.
o C. Infection with H. pylori bacteria.
o D. Drinking herbal tea.
, o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
9. A client with a duodenal ulcer will most likely describe their pain as:
o A. A dull pain that occurs 30-60 minutes after eating.
o B. A sharp pain that is made worse by food.
o C. A gnawing pain that occurs 1.5-3 hours after a meal and often wakes them up at night.
o D. Constant, burning epigastric pain unrelieved by antacids.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
10. A client who has been taking NSAIDs for arthritis pain presents with "coffee ground" emesis. The
nurse recognizes this as a sign of:
o A. A perforated ulcer.
o B. A gastric ulcer that is bleeding.
o C. A duodenal ulcer.
o D. An esophageal stricture.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
11. Following an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the priority nursing action is to:
o A. Offer the client clear liquids immediately to assess swallowing.
o B. Assess the client's gag reflex before offering food or fluids.
o C. Keep the client NPO for 24 hours.
o D. Ambulate the client to prevent gas pain.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
12. The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new prescription for a Proton Pump
Inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole (Prilosec). What important long-term complication should the
nurse include in the teaching, especially for older adults?
o A. Increased risk for constipation.
o B. Increased risk for bone fractures.
o C. Increased risk for hyperkalemia.
o D. Increased risk for antibiotic resistance.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
13. A client with ulcerative colitis is being discharged. Which diet choice on the menu indicates the
client understands the dietary teaching for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbation?
ANSWERS 2026
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. A nurse is providing education to a client newly diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD). Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
o A. "I will avoid eating chocolate and drinking coffee."
o B. "I plan to eat my last meal of the day right before I go to sleep."
o C. "I will elevate the head of my bed on 6-inch blocks."
o D. "I should try to eat four to six small meals a day instead of three large ones."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
2. A client with a hiatal hernia asks the nurse to explain the condition. Which statement by the
nurse best describes this diagnosis?
o A. "It is a weakness in the abdominal muscle wall through which a segment of bowel
protrudes."
o B. "It is a backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus due to a weak sphincter."
o C. "It is a condition where a portion of the stomach herniates through the diaphragm and
into the chest."
o D. "It is an ulcer formation in the upper GI tract that affects the lining of the stomach."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜
3. A nurse is caring for a client post-operatively following a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
What is the priority nursing action in the immediate post-operative period?
o A. Monitoring for signs of dumping syndrome.
o B. Ensuring the client takes all antibiotics as prescribed.
o C. Maintaining the nasogastric tube (NGT) as ordered and never manipulating or moving it.
o D. Encouraging the client to drink plenty of fluids with meals.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
4. A client is diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. Which assessment finding would the nurse
most expect to see?
o A. Lower abdominal cramping and distention.
, o B. Constipation or ribbon-like stools.
o C. Profuse vomiting and upper abdominal distention.
o D. Metabolic acidosis.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
5. The nurse is providing care for a client with a large bowel obstruction. What intervention is the
nurse expected to prepare the client for?
o A. Administration of a bulk-forming laxative.
o B. Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression.
o C. A high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements.
o D. Encouraging the client to increase physical activity.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
6. A client with a sudden change in abdominal pain from a dull ache to a sharp, severe, generalized
pain is most likely experiencing which complication?
o A. A strangulated hernia.
o B. A GI perforation.
o C. An exacerbation of GERD.
o D. A bowel obstruction.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
7. The nurse knows that teaching for a client with a reducible inguinal hernia has been effective
when the client states:
o A. "I will wear my truss over the hernia site only when I am sleeping."
o B. "It is okay for me to lift heavy boxes as long as I bend at the knees."
o C. "I will call my doctor if the hernia becomes painful and cannot be pushed back in."
o D. "If I have trouble urinating after surgery, I should push with force to empty my bladder."
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
8. Which of the following is a known risk factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?
o A. A diet high in spicy foods.
o B. Chronic stress.
o C. Infection with H. pylori bacteria.
o D. Drinking herbal tea.
, o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
9. A client with a duodenal ulcer will most likely describe their pain as:
o A. A dull pain that occurs 30-60 minutes after eating.
o B. A sharp pain that is made worse by food.
o C. A gnawing pain that occurs 1.5-3 hours after a meal and often wakes them up at night.
o D. Constant, burning epigastric pain unrelieved by antacids.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: C
10. A client who has been taking NSAIDs for arthritis pain presents with "coffee ground" emesis. The
nurse recognizes this as a sign of:
o A. A perforated ulcer.
o B. A gastric ulcer that is bleeding.
o C. A duodenal ulcer.
o D. An esophageal stricture.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
11. Following an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the priority nursing action is to:
o A. Offer the client clear liquids immediately to assess swallowing.
o B. Assess the client's gag reflex before offering food or fluids.
o C. Keep the client NPO for 24 hours.
o D. Ambulate the client to prevent gas pain.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
12. The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new prescription for a Proton Pump
Inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole (Prilosec). What important long-term complication should the
nurse include in the teaching, especially for older adults?
o A. Increased risk for constipation.
o B. Increased risk for bone fractures.
o C. Increased risk for hyperkalemia.
o D. Increased risk for antibiotic resistance.
o CORRECT ANSWER: ✔️✔️✔️💜💜: B
13. A client with ulcerative colitis is being discharged. Which diet choice on the menu indicates the
client understands the dietary teaching for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbation?
