Page |1
NU 136 EXAM 2 VERSION 3 ACTUAL EXAM [
QUESTION 1- 200] AND ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027|
100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES –PASS
GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**NU 136 Exam 2 Version 3 is an original practice examination designed to strengthen nursing
students’ clinical reasoning and application of core concepts related to gastrointestinal and
urinary elimination. The set emphasizes assessment, identification of abnormal findings, nursing
priorities, patient safety, interventions, diagnostic interpretation, therapeutic principles, and
patient education. Rather than reproducing a confidential or proprietary examination, these
questions are newly written practice items aligned with common nursing-course objectives and
exam-style clinical reasoning. Candidates are challenged to recognize expected versus
unexpected findings, prioritize nursing actions, interpret clinical information, and select the
safest evidence-informed response. The questions progressively incorporate scenario-based
decision-making so that students practice applying knowledge rather than simply recalling
definitions. Detailed rationales accompany every answer to explain the clinical reasoning behind
the correct choice and why alternatives are less appropriate. Students can use this examination
as a structured revision tool, identify knowledge gaps, review rationales carefully, and repeat
difficult topics before their assessment. Consistent practice with prioritization and application
questions can improve confidence, clinical judgment, and readiness for course examinations.**
Core Domains Covered:
1. Gastrointestinal Assessment: Assessment of abdominal symptoms, inspection, auscultation,
percussion, palpation, bowel patterns, and recognition of abnormal findings.
2. Bowel Elimination: Constipation, diarrhea, fecal impaction, bowel training, contributing
factors, nursing interventions, and patient education.
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Common gastrointestinal conditions, manifestations,
complications, diagnostic findings, and nursing management.
4. Urinary Assessment and Elimination: Urinary patterns, assessment findings, urinary
retention, incontinence, dysuria, and factors affecting elimination.
5. Urinalysis and Diagnostic Testing: Interpretation of common urine findings, specimen
collection, testing principles, and recognition of clinically significant abnormalities.
6. Urinary Diversion and Catheter Care: Principles of urinary catheterization, urinary
diversions, stoma assessment, infection prevention, and patient education.
,Page |2
7. Clinical Prioritization and Patient Safety: ABCs, acute-versus-chronic findings, escalation of
care, infection prevention, medication safety, and selection of appropriate nursing interventions.
QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient who reports new-onset abdominal discomfort. Which assessment
technique should the nurse perform first when examining the abdomen?
A) Deep palpation
B) Auscultation
C) Percussion
D) Light palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion or palpation because manipulating the
abdomen can alter bowel sounds. Deep palpation is performed later and may cause discomfort.
Light palpation also follows auscultation. The sequence helps preserve the accuracy of bowel-
sound assessment.
Question 2
A patient reports abdominal bloating and has not passed stool for four days. Which additional
finding most strongly supports constipation?
A) Frequent watery stools
B) Hard, dry stools requiring straining
C) Increased bowel frequency
D) Urgent passage of loose stool
Rationale: Hard, dry stools and straining are classic manifestations of constipation. Watery
frequent stools are more consistent with diarrhea. Constipation generally involves difficult or
infrequent passage of stool rather than increased bowel frequency.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient with diarrhea. Which assessment finding is the priority?
A) Mild abdominal cramping
B) Increased bowel sounds
C) Decreased urine output and dizziness
D) Increased appetite
,Page |3
Rationale: Diarrhea can cause substantial fluid and electrolyte loss. Decreased urine output and
dizziness suggest volume depletion and therefore require prompt attention. Mild cramping and
increased bowel sounds may accompany diarrhea but are less immediately concerning.
Question 4
A patient has been prescribed a high-fiber diet for chronic constipation. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A) “I should increase fiber while greatly reducing fluids.”
B) “I should avoid physical activity.”
C) “I should increase fiber gradually and maintain adequate fluid intake.”
D) “I should use a stimulant laxative every day.”
Rationale: Fiber should generally be increased gradually to reduce bloating and gas, and
adequate fluid intake supports stool softening. Routine stimulant-laxative use without
appropriate guidance is not the preferred long-term strategy. Physical activity generally
supports bowel motility.
Question 5
A patient has abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A) Mild constipation
B) Functional urinary incontinence
C) Possible intestinal obstruction or ileus
D) Uncomplicated diarrhea
Rationale: Distention, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds are concerning for impaired
intestinal motility or obstruction. The finding requires prompt assessment and notification
according to clinical circumstances. Simple constipation would not typically produce this
combination of severe findings.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a patient how to establish regular bowel habits. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A) Ignore the urge to defecate until evening.
B) Use laxatives whenever stool is not passed daily.
C) Respond promptly to the urge to defecate and establish a regular toileting routine.
D) Avoid fluids between meals.
Rationale: Responding to the urge and establishing a consistent toileting schedule can support
normal bowel elimination. Regular daily stool passage is not required for every individual.
, Page |4
Routine unnecessary laxative use can create problems, and restricting fluids is
counterproductive.
Question 7
A patient receiving opioid analgesics develops decreased bowel frequency and hard stools.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Restricting fluid intake
B) Implementing a bowel regimen as prescribed
C) Encouraging prolonged bed rest
D) Eliminating dietary fiber permanently
Rationale: Opioids commonly reduce gastrointestinal motility and can cause constipation. A
prescribed bowel regimen, along with appropriate fluids, activity, and dietary measures when
not contraindicated, may prevent complications. Bed rest and fluid restriction can worsen
constipation.
Question 8
A nurse suspects fecal impaction in an older adult. Which finding is particularly concerning?
A) Regular formed stools
B) Increased appetite
C) Liquid stool leaking around retained stool
D) Normal abdominal assessment
Rationale: Liquid stool may seep around impacted stool and can be mistaken for diarrhea. This
paradoxical finding should prompt further assessment. Normal formed stools and an
unremarkable abdominal assessment do not specifically suggest impaction.
Question 9
A patient with diarrhea is at greatest risk for which complication?
A) Fluid overload
B) Increased bone density
C) Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
D) Urinary stone formation in every case
Rationale: Repeated loose stools can cause significant losses of water and electrolytes.
Monitoring hydration status, urine output, vital signs, and laboratory values may therefore be
important. Fluid overload is not the expected primary complication.
Question 10
NU 136 EXAM 2 VERSION 3 ACTUAL EXAM [
QUESTION 1- 200] AND ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027|
100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES –PASS
GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**NU 136 Exam 2 Version 3 is an original practice examination designed to strengthen nursing
students’ clinical reasoning and application of core concepts related to gastrointestinal and
urinary elimination. The set emphasizes assessment, identification of abnormal findings, nursing
priorities, patient safety, interventions, diagnostic interpretation, therapeutic principles, and
patient education. Rather than reproducing a confidential or proprietary examination, these
questions are newly written practice items aligned with common nursing-course objectives and
exam-style clinical reasoning. Candidates are challenged to recognize expected versus
unexpected findings, prioritize nursing actions, interpret clinical information, and select the
safest evidence-informed response. The questions progressively incorporate scenario-based
decision-making so that students practice applying knowledge rather than simply recalling
definitions. Detailed rationales accompany every answer to explain the clinical reasoning behind
the correct choice and why alternatives are less appropriate. Students can use this examination
as a structured revision tool, identify knowledge gaps, review rationales carefully, and repeat
difficult topics before their assessment. Consistent practice with prioritization and application
questions can improve confidence, clinical judgment, and readiness for course examinations.**
Core Domains Covered:
1. Gastrointestinal Assessment: Assessment of abdominal symptoms, inspection, auscultation,
percussion, palpation, bowel patterns, and recognition of abnormal findings.
2. Bowel Elimination: Constipation, diarrhea, fecal impaction, bowel training, contributing
factors, nursing interventions, and patient education.
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Common gastrointestinal conditions, manifestations,
complications, diagnostic findings, and nursing management.
4. Urinary Assessment and Elimination: Urinary patterns, assessment findings, urinary
retention, incontinence, dysuria, and factors affecting elimination.
5. Urinalysis and Diagnostic Testing: Interpretation of common urine findings, specimen
collection, testing principles, and recognition of clinically significant abnormalities.
6. Urinary Diversion and Catheter Care: Principles of urinary catheterization, urinary
diversions, stoma assessment, infection prevention, and patient education.
,Page |2
7. Clinical Prioritization and Patient Safety: ABCs, acute-versus-chronic findings, escalation of
care, infection prevention, medication safety, and selection of appropriate nursing interventions.
QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient who reports new-onset abdominal discomfort. Which assessment
technique should the nurse perform first when examining the abdomen?
A) Deep palpation
B) Auscultation
C) Percussion
D) Light palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion or palpation because manipulating the
abdomen can alter bowel sounds. Deep palpation is performed later and may cause discomfort.
Light palpation also follows auscultation. The sequence helps preserve the accuracy of bowel-
sound assessment.
Question 2
A patient reports abdominal bloating and has not passed stool for four days. Which additional
finding most strongly supports constipation?
A) Frequent watery stools
B) Hard, dry stools requiring straining
C) Increased bowel frequency
D) Urgent passage of loose stool
Rationale: Hard, dry stools and straining are classic manifestations of constipation. Watery
frequent stools are more consistent with diarrhea. Constipation generally involves difficult or
infrequent passage of stool rather than increased bowel frequency.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient with diarrhea. Which assessment finding is the priority?
A) Mild abdominal cramping
B) Increased bowel sounds
C) Decreased urine output and dizziness
D) Increased appetite
,Page |3
Rationale: Diarrhea can cause substantial fluid and electrolyte loss. Decreased urine output and
dizziness suggest volume depletion and therefore require prompt attention. Mild cramping and
increased bowel sounds may accompany diarrhea but are less immediately concerning.
Question 4
A patient has been prescribed a high-fiber diet for chronic constipation. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A) “I should increase fiber while greatly reducing fluids.”
B) “I should avoid physical activity.”
C) “I should increase fiber gradually and maintain adequate fluid intake.”
D) “I should use a stimulant laxative every day.”
Rationale: Fiber should generally be increased gradually to reduce bloating and gas, and
adequate fluid intake supports stool softening. Routine stimulant-laxative use without
appropriate guidance is not the preferred long-term strategy. Physical activity generally
supports bowel motility.
Question 5
A patient has abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A) Mild constipation
B) Functional urinary incontinence
C) Possible intestinal obstruction or ileus
D) Uncomplicated diarrhea
Rationale: Distention, nausea, vomiting, and absent bowel sounds are concerning for impaired
intestinal motility or obstruction. The finding requires prompt assessment and notification
according to clinical circumstances. Simple constipation would not typically produce this
combination of severe findings.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a patient how to establish regular bowel habits. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A) Ignore the urge to defecate until evening.
B) Use laxatives whenever stool is not passed daily.
C) Respond promptly to the urge to defecate and establish a regular toileting routine.
D) Avoid fluids between meals.
Rationale: Responding to the urge and establishing a consistent toileting schedule can support
normal bowel elimination. Regular daily stool passage is not required for every individual.
, Page |4
Routine unnecessary laxative use can create problems, and restricting fluids is
counterproductive.
Question 7
A patient receiving opioid analgesics develops decreased bowel frequency and hard stools.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Restricting fluid intake
B) Implementing a bowel regimen as prescribed
C) Encouraging prolonged bed rest
D) Eliminating dietary fiber permanently
Rationale: Opioids commonly reduce gastrointestinal motility and can cause constipation. A
prescribed bowel regimen, along with appropriate fluids, activity, and dietary measures when
not contraindicated, may prevent complications. Bed rest and fluid restriction can worsen
constipation.
Question 8
A nurse suspects fecal impaction in an older adult. Which finding is particularly concerning?
A) Regular formed stools
B) Increased appetite
C) Liquid stool leaking around retained stool
D) Normal abdominal assessment
Rationale: Liquid stool may seep around impacted stool and can be mistaken for diarrhea. This
paradoxical finding should prompt further assessment. Normal formed stools and an
unremarkable abdominal assessment do not specifically suggest impaction.
Question 9
A patient with diarrhea is at greatest risk for which complication?
A) Fluid overload
B) Increased bone density
C) Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
D) Urinary stone formation in every case
Rationale: Repeated loose stools can cause significant losses of water and electrolytes.
Monitoring hydration status, urine output, vital signs, and laboratory values may therefore be
important. Fluid overload is not the expected primary complication.
Question 10
