ATI MED-SURG GASTROINTESTINAL EXAM LATEST
2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Left lower quadrant pain
B. Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Pain relieved by coughing
Answer: B. Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Appendicitis typically presents with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness
due to peritoneal irritation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is
appropriate to verify placement?
A. Inject air and auscultate
B. Measure tube length
C. Check pH of aspirate
D. Observe for coughing
Answer: C. Check pH of aspirate
Rationale: Gastric aspirate typically has a pH of 1–5, confirming proper placement.
3. A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
,A. High-sodium diet
B. Fluid restriction
C. Potassium supplements only
D. High-protein restriction
Answer: B. Fluid restriction
Rationale: Fluid restriction helps manage fluid accumulation associated with
ascites.
4. Which lab value indicates possible acute pancreatitis?
A. Decreased amylase
B. Increased lipase
C. Low bilirubin
D. Decreased glucose
Answer: B. Increased lipase
Rationale: Elevated lipase is a key indicator of pancreatitis.
5. A nurse is teaching about GERD management. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A. “I will lie down after meals.”
B. “I will avoid spicy foods.”
C. “I will drink alcohol daily.”
D. “I will eat large meals.”
Answer: B. “I will avoid spicy foods.”
Rationale: Spicy foods can worsen GERD symptoms.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Crohn’s disease. Which diet is appropriate?
A. High-fiber diet
B. Low-residue diet
,C. High-fat diet
D. High-lactose diet
Answer: B. Low-residue diet
Rationale: Reduces bowel stimulation and inflammation.
7. Which symptom is most indicative of ulcerative colitis?
A. Bloody diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Steatorrhea
D. Dry stool
Answer: A. Bloody diarrhea
Rationale: UC commonly presents with bloody diarrhea.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with peptic ulcer disease. Which medication is
expected?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Omeprazole
C. Furosemide
D. Digoxin
Answer: B. Omeprazole
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid secretion.
9. A client has dumping syndrome. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Drink fluids with meals
B. Eat high-carb meals
C. Lie down after eating
D. Eat large meals
, Answer: C. Lie down after eating
Rationale: Helps slow gastric emptying.
10. Which finding indicates a complication after abdominal surgery?
A. Mild pain
B. Fever
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Slight nausea
Answer: B. Fever
Rationale: Fever may indicate infection.
11. A nurse is assessing for liver failure. Which sign is expected?
A. Jaundice
B. Bradycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Jaundice
Rationale: Bilirubin buildup causes jaundice.
12. Which food should a client with gallbladder disease avoid?
A. Lean meat
B. Fried foods
C. Vegetables
D. Fruits
Answer: B. Fried foods
Rationale: High-fat foods trigger gallbladder contractions.
2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding should
the nurse expect?
A. Left lower quadrant pain
B. Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Pain relieved by coughing
Answer: B. Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: Appendicitis typically presents with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness
due to peritoneal irritation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is
appropriate to verify placement?
A. Inject air and auscultate
B. Measure tube length
C. Check pH of aspirate
D. Observe for coughing
Answer: C. Check pH of aspirate
Rationale: Gastric aspirate typically has a pH of 1–5, confirming proper placement.
3. A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
,A. High-sodium diet
B. Fluid restriction
C. Potassium supplements only
D. High-protein restriction
Answer: B. Fluid restriction
Rationale: Fluid restriction helps manage fluid accumulation associated with
ascites.
4. Which lab value indicates possible acute pancreatitis?
A. Decreased amylase
B. Increased lipase
C. Low bilirubin
D. Decreased glucose
Answer: B. Increased lipase
Rationale: Elevated lipase is a key indicator of pancreatitis.
5. A nurse is teaching about GERD management. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A. “I will lie down after meals.”
B. “I will avoid spicy foods.”
C. “I will drink alcohol daily.”
D. “I will eat large meals.”
Answer: B. “I will avoid spicy foods.”
Rationale: Spicy foods can worsen GERD symptoms.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Crohn’s disease. Which diet is appropriate?
A. High-fiber diet
B. Low-residue diet
,C. High-fat diet
D. High-lactose diet
Answer: B. Low-residue diet
Rationale: Reduces bowel stimulation and inflammation.
7. Which symptom is most indicative of ulcerative colitis?
A. Bloody diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Steatorrhea
D. Dry stool
Answer: A. Bloody diarrhea
Rationale: UC commonly presents with bloody diarrhea.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with peptic ulcer disease. Which medication is
expected?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Omeprazole
C. Furosemide
D. Digoxin
Answer: B. Omeprazole
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid secretion.
9. A client has dumping syndrome. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Drink fluids with meals
B. Eat high-carb meals
C. Lie down after eating
D. Eat large meals
, Answer: C. Lie down after eating
Rationale: Helps slow gastric emptying.
10. Which finding indicates a complication after abdominal surgery?
A. Mild pain
B. Fever
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Slight nausea
Answer: B. Fever
Rationale: Fever may indicate infection.
11. A nurse is assessing for liver failure. Which sign is expected?
A. Jaundice
B. Bradycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Jaundice
Rationale: Bilirubin buildup causes jaundice.
12. Which food should a client with gallbladder disease avoid?
A. Lean meat
B. Fried foods
C. Vegetables
D. Fruits
Answer: B. Fried foods
Rationale: High-fat foods trigger gallbladder contractions.
