,NURS 120 Assessment 2 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks which
lifestyle change can reduce symptoms. Which recommendation should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat a large meal immediately before bedtime.
B. Lie flat after eating.
C. Eat smaller meals and avoid lying down soon after meals.
D. Increase foods known to trigger reflux.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Smaller meals and remaining upright after eating can reduce
gastric reflux. Large meals and lying down after eating can worsen
symptoms.
Q2. Which patient statement indicates a need for additional teaching about
GERD?
A. "I should avoid eating immediately before going to bed."
B. "I can elevate the head of my bed if nighttime symptoms occur."
C. "I should identify foods that worsen my symptoms."
D. "I should lie down right after meals so my stomach can empty."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lying down soon after eating can promote reflux. Remaining
upright after meals is generally recommended.
Q3. A patient with chronic GERD has nighttime symptoms. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Elevate the head of the bed.
B. Drink a large amount of fluid before sleeping.
C. Eat a high-fat snack at bedtime.
D. Lie completely flat.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed uses gravity to reduce nighttime
reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.
Q4. Which medication class commonly reduces gastric acid secretion and is
frequently used in GERD management?
, A. Antidiarrheals
B. Proton pump inhibitors
C. Anticoagulants
D. Bronchodilators
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid secretion and are
commonly used to treat GERD and other acid-related disorders.
Q5. A patient with a peptic ulcer suddenly develops severe abdominal pain
and a rigid abdomen. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Dumping syndrome
C. Bowel obstruction
D. Perforation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with rigidity can indicate
perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is a medical emergency.
Q6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a peptic ulcer?
A. Mild nausea after eating
B. Sudden severe abdominal pain with guarding
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Decreased appetite for one day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden severe pain with guarding may indicate perforation or
another acute abdominal complication requiring immediate evaluation.
Q7. A patient with a suspected upper gastrointestinal bleed is being
assessed. Which finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Black, tarry stools
B. Mild heartburn
C. Increased appetite
D. Formed brown stool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Melena, or black tarry stool, can indicate upper gastrointestinal
bleeding and requires further assessment.
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks which
lifestyle change can reduce symptoms. Which recommendation should the
nurse provide?
A. Eat a large meal immediately before bedtime.
B. Lie flat after eating.
C. Eat smaller meals and avoid lying down soon after meals.
D. Increase foods known to trigger reflux.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Smaller meals and remaining upright after eating can reduce
gastric reflux. Large meals and lying down after eating can worsen
symptoms.
Q2. Which patient statement indicates a need for additional teaching about
GERD?
A. "I should avoid eating immediately before going to bed."
B. "I can elevate the head of my bed if nighttime symptoms occur."
C. "I should identify foods that worsen my symptoms."
D. "I should lie down right after meals so my stomach can empty."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lying down soon after eating can promote reflux. Remaining
upright after meals is generally recommended.
Q3. A patient with chronic GERD has nighttime symptoms. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Elevate the head of the bed.
B. Drink a large amount of fluid before sleeping.
C. Eat a high-fat snack at bedtime.
D. Lie completely flat.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed uses gravity to reduce nighttime
reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.
Q4. Which medication class commonly reduces gastric acid secretion and is
frequently used in GERD management?
, A. Antidiarrheals
B. Proton pump inhibitors
C. Anticoagulants
D. Bronchodilators
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid secretion and are
commonly used to treat GERD and other acid-related disorders.
Q5. A patient with a peptic ulcer suddenly develops severe abdominal pain
and a rigid abdomen. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Dumping syndrome
C. Bowel obstruction
D. Perforation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden severe abdominal pain with rigidity can indicate
perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is a medical emergency.
Q6. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a peptic ulcer?
A. Mild nausea after eating
B. Sudden severe abdominal pain with guarding
C. Occasional heartburn
D. Decreased appetite for one day
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden severe pain with guarding may indicate perforation or
another acute abdominal complication requiring immediate evaluation.
Q7. A patient with a suspected upper gastrointestinal bleed is being
assessed. Which finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Black, tarry stools
B. Mild heartburn
C. Increased appetite
D. Formed brown stool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Melena, or black tarry stool, can indicate upper gastrointestinal
bleeding and requires further assessment.
