Page |1
NU 136 EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE VERSION ACTUAL
EXAM [ QUESTION 1- 200] AND ANSWERS UPDATED
2026/2027| 100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES –
PASS GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**This NU 136 Exam 2 Comprehensive Version is an original practice examination designed to
support focused preparation across major gastrointestinal, bowel-elimination, urinary, and
related nursing-assessment concepts. The set emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization,
assessment findings, patient teaching, interventions, complications, and evaluation of outcomes
rather than simple memorization. Questions are written in a scenario-based format to encourage
application of nursing knowledge to realistic patient situations. The practice set is especially
useful for identifying differences between expected and abnormal findings, recognizing situations
requiring prompt intervention, selecting appropriate nursing actions, and understanding the
rationale behind common management strategies. Candidates should use the questions actively:
first answer without looking at the rationale, then review both the correct response and the
reasoning behind each distractor. This approach helps strengthen clinical reasoning and
reduces errors caused by choosing answers that sound plausible but do not address the priority
problem. The material is intended as original study practice aligned with common NU 136 Exam
2 learning objectives; it is not a reproduction of confidential or unreleased examination
questions and no practice set can guarantee a particular grade.
Core Domains Covered:
1. Gastrointestinal Assessment: Systematic assessment of the abdomen, bowel sounds, pain,
nutrition, elimination patterns, and relevant diagnostic findings.
2. Bowel Elimination: Normal bowel physiology, constipation, fecal impaction, diarrhea, risk
factors, assessment, interventions, and patient education.
3. Constipation Management: Identification of causes, prevention, pharmacologic and
nonpharmacologic interventions, complications, and evaluation.
4. Diarrhea Management: Assessment of causes, fluid and electrolyte concerns, infection-
control considerations, skin protection, and treatment priorities.
5. Urinary Elimination and Diversion: Urinary assessment, urinary diversions, stomas,
expected findings, complications, and self-care education.
6. Clinical Judgment and Prioritization: Recognition of deterioration, selection of the safest
intervention, delegation, and evaluation of patient responses.
7. Patient Education and Prevention: Hydration, nutrition, activity, medication use, elimination
routines, warning signs, and discharge teaching.
QUESTIONS
Question 1
,Page |2
A nurse performs an abdominal assessment on a patient reporting generalized abdominal
discomfort. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
Rationale: The correct answer is B because abdominal assessment is performed in the sequence
of inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Auscultation occurs before percussion
and palpation because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds. A, C, and D
incorrectly place palpation or percussion before auscultation.
Question 2
A patient has hypoactive bowel sounds after abdominal surgery. Which interpretation is most
appropriate?
A) The finding confirms intestinal obstruction
B) The patient has normal bowel function
C) The finding may reflect decreased intestinal motility after surgery
D) The finding confirms fecal impaction
Rationale: The correct answer is C because postoperative patients may develop reduced
gastrointestinal motility related to anesthesia, opioids, immobility, or surgical manipulation.
Hypoactive sounds alone do not establish obstruction or impaction. A and D require additional
assessment findings, while B is inaccurate because the finding may warrant continued
monitoring.
Question 3
Which assessment finding most strongly suggests a possible intestinal obstruction?
A) Soft abdomen with regular bowel movements
B) Mild hunger before meals
C) Abdominal distention with vomiting and markedly altered bowel sounds
D) Increased appetite with normal stool passage
Rationale: The correct answer is C because obstruction can produce abdominal distention,
vomiting, pain, and abnormal bowel activity. A and D describe relatively normal gastrointestinal
function. B is nonspecific and does not indicate obstruction.
Question 4
A patient reports having hard stools that require significant straining. Which nursing assessment
is most important initially?
,Page |3
A) Determine the patient's favorite foods
B) Assess usual bowel pattern, fluid intake, diet, activity, and medications
C) Immediately administer an antidiarrheal medication
D) Restrict oral fluids
Rationale: The correct answer is B because constipation is often multifactorial. Fluid intake,
dietary fiber, activity level, medications, and elimination habits can identify contributing factors.
Antidiarrheals and fluid restriction could worsen constipation.
Question 5
Which patient is at greatest risk for constipation?
A) A patient who walks daily and drinks adequate fluids
B) A patient consuming adequate dietary fiber
C) A patient receiving opioids who is immobile and has low fluid intake
D) A patient with regular bowel movements and normal activity
Rationale: The correct answer is C because opioids decrease gastrointestinal motility, while
immobility and inadequate fluid intake further increase constipation risk. The other patients
have fewer recognized risk factors.
Question 6
A patient taking an opioid for postoperative pain has not had a bowel movement for several days.
Which intervention is most appropriate for prevention of opioid-associated constipation?
A) Encourage prolonged bed rest
B) Restrict fluids
C) Promote appropriate fluids, mobility, fiber when appropriate, and prescribed bowel-
regimen therapy
D) Encourage frequent use of antidiarrheal medication
Rationale: The correct answer is C because prevention generally combines hydration, activity,
appropriate dietary fiber, and prescribed stool-softening or laxative therapy when indicated. Bed
rest and fluid restriction worsen constipation. Antidiarrheals are inappropriate for constipation.
Question 7
A patient with constipation asks why physical activity is recommended. Which response is best?
A) “Activity prevents all gastrointestinal diseases.”
B) “Activity eliminates the need for fluids.”
C) “Movement can promote intestinal motility and support regular bowel elimination.”
D) “Activity immediately removes impacted stool.”
, Page |4
Rationale: The correct answer is C because physical activity can stimulate gastrointestinal
motility and support regular elimination. It does not eliminate the need for hydration or
guarantee immediate treatment of impaction.
Question 8
Which patient statement indicates correct understanding of dietary measures for preventing
uncomplicated constipation?
A) “I should eliminate all fruits and vegetables.”
B) “I should avoid drinking fluids.”
C) “I can gradually increase appropriate fiber-rich foods while maintaining adequate fluid
intake.”
D) “I should use stimulant laxatives every day without guidance.”
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Gradually increasing dietary fiber with adequate fluid
intake can support bowel regularity when medically appropriate. Abrupt excessive fiber without
adequate fluids can worsen discomfort or constipation. Routine unsupervised stimulant-laxative
use is not recommended.
Question 9
A patient reports liquid stool leaking around a mass of hard stool. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
A) Normal bowel regulation
B) Acute uncomplicated diarrhea
C) Fecal impaction with overflow stool
D) Increased intestinal absorption
Rationale: The correct answer is C because liquid stool can pass around retained hardened
stool and create apparent diarrhea. This is known as overflow stool. Treating such a patient
solely with antidiarrheal medication could worsen retention.
Question 10
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with severe constipation?
A) Mild temporary bloating
B) Passing flatus
C) Increasing abdominal distention, severe pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or gas
D) Occasional hard stool
Rationale: The correct answer is C because this combination can indicate serious intestinal
dysfunction or obstruction and requires prompt evaluation. Mild bloating and occasional hard
stool are less urgent. Passing flatus generally indicates at least some intestinal gas movement.
NU 136 EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE VERSION ACTUAL
EXAM [ QUESTION 1- 200] AND ANSWERS UPDATED
2026/2027| 100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES –
PASS GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**This NU 136 Exam 2 Comprehensive Version is an original practice examination designed to
support focused preparation across major gastrointestinal, bowel-elimination, urinary, and
related nursing-assessment concepts. The set emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization,
assessment findings, patient teaching, interventions, complications, and evaluation of outcomes
rather than simple memorization. Questions are written in a scenario-based format to encourage
application of nursing knowledge to realistic patient situations. The practice set is especially
useful for identifying differences between expected and abnormal findings, recognizing situations
requiring prompt intervention, selecting appropriate nursing actions, and understanding the
rationale behind common management strategies. Candidates should use the questions actively:
first answer without looking at the rationale, then review both the correct response and the
reasoning behind each distractor. This approach helps strengthen clinical reasoning and
reduces errors caused by choosing answers that sound plausible but do not address the priority
problem. The material is intended as original study practice aligned with common NU 136 Exam
2 learning objectives; it is not a reproduction of confidential or unreleased examination
questions and no practice set can guarantee a particular grade.
Core Domains Covered:
1. Gastrointestinal Assessment: Systematic assessment of the abdomen, bowel sounds, pain,
nutrition, elimination patterns, and relevant diagnostic findings.
2. Bowel Elimination: Normal bowel physiology, constipation, fecal impaction, diarrhea, risk
factors, assessment, interventions, and patient education.
3. Constipation Management: Identification of causes, prevention, pharmacologic and
nonpharmacologic interventions, complications, and evaluation.
4. Diarrhea Management: Assessment of causes, fluid and electrolyte concerns, infection-
control considerations, skin protection, and treatment priorities.
5. Urinary Elimination and Diversion: Urinary assessment, urinary diversions, stomas,
expected findings, complications, and self-care education.
6. Clinical Judgment and Prioritization: Recognition of deterioration, selection of the safest
intervention, delegation, and evaluation of patient responses.
7. Patient Education and Prevention: Hydration, nutrition, activity, medication use, elimination
routines, warning signs, and discharge teaching.
QUESTIONS
Question 1
,Page |2
A nurse performs an abdominal assessment on a patient reporting generalized abdominal
discomfort. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
Rationale: The correct answer is B because abdominal assessment is performed in the sequence
of inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Auscultation occurs before percussion
and palpation because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds. A, C, and D
incorrectly place palpation or percussion before auscultation.
Question 2
A patient has hypoactive bowel sounds after abdominal surgery. Which interpretation is most
appropriate?
A) The finding confirms intestinal obstruction
B) The patient has normal bowel function
C) The finding may reflect decreased intestinal motility after surgery
D) The finding confirms fecal impaction
Rationale: The correct answer is C because postoperative patients may develop reduced
gastrointestinal motility related to anesthesia, opioids, immobility, or surgical manipulation.
Hypoactive sounds alone do not establish obstruction or impaction. A and D require additional
assessment findings, while B is inaccurate because the finding may warrant continued
monitoring.
Question 3
Which assessment finding most strongly suggests a possible intestinal obstruction?
A) Soft abdomen with regular bowel movements
B) Mild hunger before meals
C) Abdominal distention with vomiting and markedly altered bowel sounds
D) Increased appetite with normal stool passage
Rationale: The correct answer is C because obstruction can produce abdominal distention,
vomiting, pain, and abnormal bowel activity. A and D describe relatively normal gastrointestinal
function. B is nonspecific and does not indicate obstruction.
Question 4
A patient reports having hard stools that require significant straining. Which nursing assessment
is most important initially?
,Page |3
A) Determine the patient's favorite foods
B) Assess usual bowel pattern, fluid intake, diet, activity, and medications
C) Immediately administer an antidiarrheal medication
D) Restrict oral fluids
Rationale: The correct answer is B because constipation is often multifactorial. Fluid intake,
dietary fiber, activity level, medications, and elimination habits can identify contributing factors.
Antidiarrheals and fluid restriction could worsen constipation.
Question 5
Which patient is at greatest risk for constipation?
A) A patient who walks daily and drinks adequate fluids
B) A patient consuming adequate dietary fiber
C) A patient receiving opioids who is immobile and has low fluid intake
D) A patient with regular bowel movements and normal activity
Rationale: The correct answer is C because opioids decrease gastrointestinal motility, while
immobility and inadequate fluid intake further increase constipation risk. The other patients
have fewer recognized risk factors.
Question 6
A patient taking an opioid for postoperative pain has not had a bowel movement for several days.
Which intervention is most appropriate for prevention of opioid-associated constipation?
A) Encourage prolonged bed rest
B) Restrict fluids
C) Promote appropriate fluids, mobility, fiber when appropriate, and prescribed bowel-
regimen therapy
D) Encourage frequent use of antidiarrheal medication
Rationale: The correct answer is C because prevention generally combines hydration, activity,
appropriate dietary fiber, and prescribed stool-softening or laxative therapy when indicated. Bed
rest and fluid restriction worsen constipation. Antidiarrheals are inappropriate for constipation.
Question 7
A patient with constipation asks why physical activity is recommended. Which response is best?
A) “Activity prevents all gastrointestinal diseases.”
B) “Activity eliminates the need for fluids.”
C) “Movement can promote intestinal motility and support regular bowel elimination.”
D) “Activity immediately removes impacted stool.”
, Page |4
Rationale: The correct answer is C because physical activity can stimulate gastrointestinal
motility and support regular elimination. It does not eliminate the need for hydration or
guarantee immediate treatment of impaction.
Question 8
Which patient statement indicates correct understanding of dietary measures for preventing
uncomplicated constipation?
A) “I should eliminate all fruits and vegetables.”
B) “I should avoid drinking fluids.”
C) “I can gradually increase appropriate fiber-rich foods while maintaining adequate fluid
intake.”
D) “I should use stimulant laxatives every day without guidance.”
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Gradually increasing dietary fiber with adequate fluid
intake can support bowel regularity when medically appropriate. Abrupt excessive fiber without
adequate fluids can worsen discomfort or constipation. Routine unsupervised stimulant-laxative
use is not recommended.
Question 9
A patient reports liquid stool leaking around a mass of hard stool. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
A) Normal bowel regulation
B) Acute uncomplicated diarrhea
C) Fecal impaction with overflow stool
D) Increased intestinal absorption
Rationale: The correct answer is C because liquid stool can pass around retained hardened
stool and create apparent diarrhea. This is known as overflow stool. Treating such a patient
solely with antidiarrheal medication could worsen retention.
Question 10
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with severe constipation?
A) Mild temporary bloating
B) Passing flatus
C) Increasing abdominal distention, severe pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or gas
D) Occasional hard stool
Rationale: The correct answer is C because this combination can indicate serious intestinal
dysfunction or obstruction and requires prompt evaluation. Mild bloating and occasional hard
stool are less urgent. Passing flatus generally indicates at least some intestinal gas movement.
