ATI Medical-Surgical Exam 6: Gastrointestinal Disorders Study Guide
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has GERD about dietary modifications. Which
of the following should the nurse recommend the client avoid?
A. Peppermint
B. Apple juice
C. Oatmeal
D. Baked chicken
Answer: A
Rationale: Peppermint lowers the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, which can
worsen GERD symptoms. Other triggers include caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, and citrus.
2. A client is admitted with a suspected peptic ulcer perforation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Increased bowel sounds
B. Decreased white blood cell count
C. Bradycardia
D. Rigid, board-like abdomen
Answer: D
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis resulting from a
perforated peptic ulcer, accompanied by sudden severe pain.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis and notices flapping tremors of the
hands. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Ascites
B. Asterixis
C. Icterus
D. Purpura
Answer: B
Rationale: Asterixis, also known as ‘liver flap,’ is a coarse tremor characterized by rapid,
non-rhythmic extensions and flexions of the wrists and fingers, indicating hepatic
encephalopathy.
4. A client with acute pancreatitis is NPO and has an NG tube to low
intermittent suction. Which of the following is the primary rationale for this
intervention?
A. To relieve abdominal pressure
B. To reduce pancreatic enzyme secretion
C. To prevent metabolic alkalosis
D. To monitor for GI bleeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the client NPO and using NG suction helps rest the pancreas by
reducing the stimulus for pancreatic enzyme secretion.
5. Which lab value is the most specific indicator of acute pancreatitis?
A. Serum Lipase
B. Serum Amylase
C. Serum Bilirubin
D. White Blood Cell Count
Answer: A
, Rationale: While both amylase and lipase rise in pancreatitis, lipase stays elevated longer
and is more specific to the pancreas.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Ulcerative Colitis. Which stool characteristic
should the nurse expect?
A. Steatorrhea
B. Small, dry hard stools
C. Clay-colored stools
D. Bloody, mucus-containing diarrhea
Answer: D
Rationale: Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum, causing inflammation
and ulcers that lead to frequent bloody stools with mucus.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the prevention of Dumping Syndrome
following a gastrectomy. Which instruction should be included?
A. Lie down for 30 minutes after eating
B. Eat high-carbohydrate meals
C. Drink liquids with meals
D. Eat three large meals per day
Answer: A
Rationale: Lying down after eating slows the movement of food into the small intestine,
helping to prevent Dumping Syndrome.
8. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce ammonia levels in a
client with hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Lactulose
B. Spironolactone
C. Propranolol
D. Omeprazole
Answer: A
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client who has GERD about dietary modifications. Which
of the following should the nurse recommend the client avoid?
A. Peppermint
B. Apple juice
C. Oatmeal
D. Baked chicken
Answer: A
Rationale: Peppermint lowers the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, which can
worsen GERD symptoms. Other triggers include caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, and citrus.
2. A client is admitted with a suspected peptic ulcer perforation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Increased bowel sounds
B. Decreased white blood cell count
C. Bradycardia
D. Rigid, board-like abdomen
Answer: D
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis resulting from a
perforated peptic ulcer, accompanied by sudden severe pain.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis and notices flapping tremors of the
hands. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Ascites
B. Asterixis
C. Icterus
D. Purpura
Answer: B
Rationale: Asterixis, also known as ‘liver flap,’ is a coarse tremor characterized by rapid,
non-rhythmic extensions and flexions of the wrists and fingers, indicating hepatic
encephalopathy.
4. A client with acute pancreatitis is NPO and has an NG tube to low
intermittent suction. Which of the following is the primary rationale for this
intervention?
A. To relieve abdominal pressure
B. To reduce pancreatic enzyme secretion
C. To prevent metabolic alkalosis
D. To monitor for GI bleeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the client NPO and using NG suction helps rest the pancreas by
reducing the stimulus for pancreatic enzyme secretion.
5. Which lab value is the most specific indicator of acute pancreatitis?
A. Serum Lipase
B. Serum Amylase
C. Serum Bilirubin
D. White Blood Cell Count
Answer: A
, Rationale: While both amylase and lipase rise in pancreatitis, lipase stays elevated longer
and is more specific to the pancreas.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Ulcerative Colitis. Which stool characteristic
should the nurse expect?
A. Steatorrhea
B. Small, dry hard stools
C. Clay-colored stools
D. Bloody, mucus-containing diarrhea
Answer: D
Rationale: Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum, causing inflammation
and ulcers that lead to frequent bloody stools with mucus.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the prevention of Dumping Syndrome
following a gastrectomy. Which instruction should be included?
A. Lie down for 30 minutes after eating
B. Eat high-carbohydrate meals
C. Drink liquids with meals
D. Eat three large meals per day
Answer: A
Rationale: Lying down after eating slows the movement of food into the small intestine,
helping to prevent Dumping Syndrome.
8. Which medication is commonly prescribed to reduce ammonia levels in a
client with hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Lactulose
B. Spironolactone
C. Propranolol
D. Omeprazole
Answer: A
