ATI Medical-Surgical GI Disorders Study Guide 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with GERD. Which of the following lifestyle
modifications should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Consume three large meals a day
B. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime
C. Lie down for 30 minutes after eating
D. Drink orange juice to increase acidity
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding food near bedtime prevents reflux during sleep. Meals should be small
and frequent, and the client should remain upright after eating.
2. A client is diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Which diagnostic test is
the most accurate for identifying H. pylori infection?
A. Abdominal X-ray
B. Barium swallow
C. Urea breath test
D. Serum amylase
Answer: C
Rationale: The urea breath test is a common, non-invasive, and highly accurate method for
detecting H. pylori by measuring exhaled carbon dioxide.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory findings is most specific to this condition?
A. Elevated serum albumin
B. Decreased white blood cell count
C. Elevated serum lipase
D. Decreased blood glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific to the pancreas than amylase and stays elevated
longer during acute pancreatitis.
4. A client with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Furosemide
B. Propranolol
C. Lactulose
D. Spironolactone
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool by creating an
acidic environment in the bowel.
5. Which assessment finding is characteristic of a client experiencing a
perforated peptic ulcer?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Increased flatulence
C. Board-like, rigid abdomen
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: A board-like, rigid abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis resulting from a
perforated ulcer.
, 6. A client is recovering from a liver biopsy. In which position should the nurse
place the client immediately post-procedure?
A. High-Fowler’s position
B. Left-side lying
C. Right-side lying
D. Supine with legs elevated
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the client on the right side applies pressure to the biopsy site to prevent
hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new ileostomy.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. I will take enteric-coated medications for better absorption
B. I will change the pouch every morning
C. I will limit my fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. I should expect my stool to be liquid and continuous
Answer: D
Rationale: An ileostomy produces liquid effluent because it bypasses the large intestine
where water is absorbed.
8. Which of the following is a symptom of dumping syndrome following a
gastrectomy?
A. Constipation
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Dizziness and palpitations
Answer: D
Rationale: Dumping syndrome causes rapid fluid shifts, leading to dizziness, sweating, and
palpitations shortly after eating.
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with GERD. Which of the following lifestyle
modifications should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Consume three large meals a day
B. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime
C. Lie down for 30 minutes after eating
D. Drink orange juice to increase acidity
Answer: B
Rationale: Avoiding food near bedtime prevents reflux during sleep. Meals should be small
and frequent, and the client should remain upright after eating.
2. A client is diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Which diagnostic test is
the most accurate for identifying H. pylori infection?
A. Abdominal X-ray
B. Barium swallow
C. Urea breath test
D. Serum amylase
Answer: C
Rationale: The urea breath test is a common, non-invasive, and highly accurate method for
detecting H. pylori by measuring exhaled carbon dioxide.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory findings is most specific to this condition?
A. Elevated serum albumin
B. Decreased white blood cell count
C. Elevated serum lipase
D. Decreased blood glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific to the pancreas than amylase and stays elevated
longer during acute pancreatitis.
4. A client with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer to reduce ammonia levels?
A. Furosemide
B. Propranolol
C. Lactulose
D. Spironolactone
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool by creating an
acidic environment in the bowel.
5. Which assessment finding is characteristic of a client experiencing a
perforated peptic ulcer?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Increased flatulence
C. Board-like, rigid abdomen
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: A board-like, rigid abdomen is a classic sign of peritonitis resulting from a
perforated ulcer.
, 6. A client is recovering from a liver biopsy. In which position should the nurse
place the client immediately post-procedure?
A. High-Fowler’s position
B. Left-side lying
C. Right-side lying
D. Supine with legs elevated
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the client on the right side applies pressure to the biopsy site to prevent
hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new ileostomy.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. I will take enteric-coated medications for better absorption
B. I will change the pouch every morning
C. I will limit my fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. I should expect my stool to be liquid and continuous
Answer: D
Rationale: An ileostomy produces liquid effluent because it bypasses the large intestine
where water is absorbed.
8. Which of the following is a symptom of dumping syndrome following a
gastrectomy?
A. Constipation
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Dizziness and palpitations
Answer: D
Rationale: Dumping syndrome causes rapid fluid shifts, leading to dizziness, sweating, and
palpitations shortly after eating.
