ATI Med Surg Gastrointestinal Proctored Exam Test
Bank | Latest 2026 Edition with 200+ NCLEX-Style
Practice Questions and Detailed Rationales | INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"The questions in this test bank are challenging but fair—exactly like
the actual ATI proctored exam. I appreciated that the answers were in bold italic so I could
quiz myself efficiently. The rationales are detailed without being overwhelming. This
resource helped me understand GI disorders at a deeper level. Highly recommend for any
nursing student!"
— Kevin P., Nursing Student
This comprehensive test bank covers all major gastrointestinal topics for the ATI Med Surg
Proctored Exam, including diagnostic procedures, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, diverticulitis, liver disorders, pancreatitis, nutrition, and GI bleeding. Each question
includes detailed rationales to reinforce understanding and improve test-taking skills for the latest
2026 exam
SECTION 1 — DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES & ASSESSMENT
1. A student nurse studying the gastrointestinal system understands that chyme
refers to what?
A. Hormones that reduce gastric acidity
B. Liquefied food ready for digestion
C. Nutrients after being absorbed
D. Secretions that help digest food
,Chyme is the semifluid, liquefied mass of partially digested food that passes from the
stomach to the small intestine. It is created through the mechanical and chemical
breakdown of food in the stomach.
2. A client scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) denies
allergies to medication. What action by the nurse is best?
A. Ask the client about shellfish allergies
B. Document this information on the chart
C. Ensure that the client has a ride home
D. Instruct the client on bowel preparation
PTC uses contrast dye that may contain iodine. Clients with shellfish allergies may also
have an allergic reaction to iodine-based contrast media. The nurse should assess for
shellfish allergy before the procedure.
3. A client is having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and has been given
midazolam hydrochloride (Versed). The client's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min.
What action by the nurse is best?
A. Administer naloxone (Narcan)
B. Call the Rapid Response Team
C. Provide physical stimulation
D. Ventilate with a bag-valve-mask
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine sedative. Mild respiratory depression is expected, and
physical stimulation (such as gently shaking the client or calling their name) is often
sufficient to stimulate breathing. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, not benzodiazepines.
4. A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy and the nurse has provided instructions
on the bowel cleansing regimen. What statement by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "It's a good thing I love orange and cherry gelatin"
B. "My spouse will be here to drive me home"
C. "I should refrigerate the GoLYTELY before use"
D. "I will buy a case of Gatorade before the prep"
,Red, orange, or purple gelatin should be avoided because they can be mistaken for blood
during the procedure or interfere with visualization. Clear liquids such as water, clear broth,
and clear juices are recommended.
5. A client had a colonoscopy and biopsy yesterday and calls the gastrointestinal
clinic to report a spot of bright red blood on the toilet paper today. What response by
the nurse is best?
A. Ask the client to call back if this happens again today
B. Instruct the client to go to the emergency department
C. Remind the client that a small amount of bleeding is possible
D. Tell the client to come in to the clinic this afternoon
A small amount of bleeding after a colonoscopy with biopsy is expected due to tissue
sampling. The nurse should reassure the client but instruct them to report large amounts of
bleeding, clots, or severe pain.
6. An older client has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens,
since the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What
response by the nurse is best?
A. "Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently."
B. "Perhaps you don't need as high a dose of the drug as before"
C. "Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly"
D. "Your body probably can't tolerate as much medication anymore"
Age-related changes in the liver reduce hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity, altering
drug metabolism. This can lead to drug accumulation and toxicity even at previously
tolerated doses.
7. To promote comfort after a colonoscopy, in what position does the nurse place the
client?
A. Left lateral
B. Prone
C. Right lateral
D. Supine
The left lateral position allows air that was instilled during the procedure to rise to the
splenic flexure, facilitating passage of flatus and relieving discomfort from distention.
, 8. A nurse is examining a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique should the nurse use to assess this client's abdomen?
A. Auscultate after palpating
B. Avoid any palpation
C. Palpate the RUQ first
D. Palpate the RUQ last
When a client reports pain in a specific area, the nurse should palpate that area last to
prevent causing discomfort that could lead to guarding and compromise the remainder of
the assessment.
9. A client presents to the emergency department reporting severe abdominal pain.
On assessment, the nurse finds a bulging, pulsating mass in the abdomen. What
action by the nurse is the priority?
A. Auscultate for bowel sounds
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Order an abdominal flat-plate x-ray
D. Palpate the mass and measure its size
A bulging, pulsating abdominal mass suggests an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Palpation could cause rupture. The provider must be notified immediately for emergency
evaluation and intervention.
10. A client presents to the family practice clinic reporting a week of watery,
somewhat bloody diarrhea. The nurse assists the client to obtain a stool sample.
What action by the nurse is most important?
A. Ask the client about recent exposure to illness
B. Assess the client's stool for obvious food particles
C. Include the date and time on the specimen container
D. Put on gloves prior to collecting the sample
Standard precautions require gloves when handling body fluids, including stool. This
protects the nurse from exposure to infectious organisms. This is the most important
immediate action for safety.
11. A client who has been taking antibiotics reports severe, watery diarrhea. About
which test does the nurse teach the client?
Bank | Latest 2026 Edition with 200+ NCLEX-Style
Practice Questions and Detailed Rationales | INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"The questions in this test bank are challenging but fair—exactly like
the actual ATI proctored exam. I appreciated that the answers were in bold italic so I could
quiz myself efficiently. The rationales are detailed without being overwhelming. This
resource helped me understand GI disorders at a deeper level. Highly recommend for any
nursing student!"
— Kevin P., Nursing Student
This comprehensive test bank covers all major gastrointestinal topics for the ATI Med Surg
Proctored Exam, including diagnostic procedures, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, diverticulitis, liver disorders, pancreatitis, nutrition, and GI bleeding. Each question
includes detailed rationales to reinforce understanding and improve test-taking skills for the latest
2026 exam
SECTION 1 — DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES & ASSESSMENT
1. A student nurse studying the gastrointestinal system understands that chyme
refers to what?
A. Hormones that reduce gastric acidity
B. Liquefied food ready for digestion
C. Nutrients after being absorbed
D. Secretions that help digest food
,Chyme is the semifluid, liquefied mass of partially digested food that passes from the
stomach to the small intestine. It is created through the mechanical and chemical
breakdown of food in the stomach.
2. A client scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) denies
allergies to medication. What action by the nurse is best?
A. Ask the client about shellfish allergies
B. Document this information on the chart
C. Ensure that the client has a ride home
D. Instruct the client on bowel preparation
PTC uses contrast dye that may contain iodine. Clients with shellfish allergies may also
have an allergic reaction to iodine-based contrast media. The nurse should assess for
shellfish allergy before the procedure.
3. A client is having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and has been given
midazolam hydrochloride (Versed). The client's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min.
What action by the nurse is best?
A. Administer naloxone (Narcan)
B. Call the Rapid Response Team
C. Provide physical stimulation
D. Ventilate with a bag-valve-mask
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine sedative. Mild respiratory depression is expected, and
physical stimulation (such as gently shaking the client or calling their name) is often
sufficient to stimulate breathing. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, not benzodiazepines.
4. A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy and the nurse has provided instructions
on the bowel cleansing regimen. What statement by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "It's a good thing I love orange and cherry gelatin"
B. "My spouse will be here to drive me home"
C. "I should refrigerate the GoLYTELY before use"
D. "I will buy a case of Gatorade before the prep"
,Red, orange, or purple gelatin should be avoided because they can be mistaken for blood
during the procedure or interfere with visualization. Clear liquids such as water, clear broth,
and clear juices are recommended.
5. A client had a colonoscopy and biopsy yesterday and calls the gastrointestinal
clinic to report a spot of bright red blood on the toilet paper today. What response by
the nurse is best?
A. Ask the client to call back if this happens again today
B. Instruct the client to go to the emergency department
C. Remind the client that a small amount of bleeding is possible
D. Tell the client to come in to the clinic this afternoon
A small amount of bleeding after a colonoscopy with biopsy is expected due to tissue
sampling. The nurse should reassure the client but instruct them to report large amounts of
bleeding, clots, or severe pain.
6. An older client has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens,
since the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What
response by the nurse is best?
A. "Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently."
B. "Perhaps you don't need as high a dose of the drug as before"
C. "Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly"
D. "Your body probably can't tolerate as much medication anymore"
Age-related changes in the liver reduce hepatic blood flow and enzyme activity, altering
drug metabolism. This can lead to drug accumulation and toxicity even at previously
tolerated doses.
7. To promote comfort after a colonoscopy, in what position does the nurse place the
client?
A. Left lateral
B. Prone
C. Right lateral
D. Supine
The left lateral position allows air that was instilled during the procedure to rise to the
splenic flexure, facilitating passage of flatus and relieving discomfort from distention.
, 8. A nurse is examining a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique should the nurse use to assess this client's abdomen?
A. Auscultate after palpating
B. Avoid any palpation
C. Palpate the RUQ first
D. Palpate the RUQ last
When a client reports pain in a specific area, the nurse should palpate that area last to
prevent causing discomfort that could lead to guarding and compromise the remainder of
the assessment.
9. A client presents to the emergency department reporting severe abdominal pain.
On assessment, the nurse finds a bulging, pulsating mass in the abdomen. What
action by the nurse is the priority?
A. Auscultate for bowel sounds
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Order an abdominal flat-plate x-ray
D. Palpate the mass and measure its size
A bulging, pulsating abdominal mass suggests an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Palpation could cause rupture. The provider must be notified immediately for emergency
evaluation and intervention.
10. A client presents to the family practice clinic reporting a week of watery,
somewhat bloody diarrhea. The nurse assists the client to obtain a stool sample.
What action by the nurse is most important?
A. Ask the client about recent exposure to illness
B. Assess the client's stool for obvious food particles
C. Include the date and time on the specimen container
D. Put on gloves prior to collecting the sample
Standard precautions require gloves when handling body fluids, including stool. This
protects the nurse from exposure to infectious organisms. This is the most important
immediate action for safety.
11. A client who has been taking antibiotics reports severe, watery diarrhea. About
which test does the nurse teach the client?
