GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 4: GI
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatic Disorders &
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — GI Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 4: GI PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Pancreatic
Disorders
1 The normal amount of transudate between the visceral and parietal peritoneal cavity
is approximately:
A 50 mL
B 100 mL
C 150 mL
D 200 mL
Why A is correct: The normal amount of transudate between the visceral and parietal
peritoneal cavity is approximately 50 mL, which prevents friction between the surfaces.
B — 100 mL is too high.
C — 150 mL is too high.
D — 200 mL is too high.
,2 The inflammatory response in peritonitis causes which of the following changes?
Select all that apply.
A Increased vasodilation
B Increased capillary permeability
C Decreased vasodilation
D Decreased capillary permeability
E Decreased fluid accumulation
Why A and B are correct: The inflammatory response in peritonitis causes increased
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, leading to fluid accumulation in the
peritoneal cavity.
C — Vasodilation increases, not decreases.
D — Capillary permeability increases, not decreases.
E — Fluid accumulation increases, not decreases.
3 Which of the following are bacterial risk factors for peritonitis? Select all that apply.
A Perforation (appendicitis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer)
B External penetrating wound
C Gangrenous gallbladder
D Bowel obstruction
E Ascending genital infection
Why A, B, C, D, and E are correct: Bacterial risk factors for peritonitis include perforation,
external penetrating wounds, gangrenous gallbladder, bowel obstruction, ascending genital
infection, invasive tumor, surgical leakage, and peritoneal dialysis.
All options are correct bacterial risk factors.
, 4 Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is characterized by:
A Infection from an external penetrating wound
B Infection from a perforated ulcer
C Acidic fluid infection without an evident intra-abdominal source
D Infection from a gangrenous gallbladder
Why C is correct: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is an acidic fluid infection without an
evident intra-abdominal source, commonly seen in advanced cirrhosis patients with ascites.
A — This describes traumatic peritonitis.
B — This describes perforation-related peritonitis.
D — This describes infectious peritonitis from gallbladder rupture.
5 For all patients with peritonitis, what is the priority nursing action?
A Administer pain medication
B Take cultures and administer antibiotics
C Insert an NG tube
D Prepare the patient for surgery
Why B is correct: The priority with peritonitis is to take cultures and administer antibiotics
(narrowing down the bacteria to determine the appropriate antibiotic).
A — Pain management is important but not the priority.
C — NG tube may be needed but not the priority.
D — Surgery may be needed but cultures and antibiotics come first.
NUR 504 Exam 4: GI
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatic Disorders &
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — GI Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 4: GI PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Pancreatic
Disorders
1 The normal amount of transudate between the visceral and parietal peritoneal cavity
is approximately:
A 50 mL
B 100 mL
C 150 mL
D 200 mL
Why A is correct: The normal amount of transudate between the visceral and parietal
peritoneal cavity is approximately 50 mL, which prevents friction between the surfaces.
B — 100 mL is too high.
C — 150 mL is too high.
D — 200 mL is too high.
,2 The inflammatory response in peritonitis causes which of the following changes?
Select all that apply.
A Increased vasodilation
B Increased capillary permeability
C Decreased vasodilation
D Decreased capillary permeability
E Decreased fluid accumulation
Why A and B are correct: The inflammatory response in peritonitis causes increased
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, leading to fluid accumulation in the
peritoneal cavity.
C — Vasodilation increases, not decreases.
D — Capillary permeability increases, not decreases.
E — Fluid accumulation increases, not decreases.
3 Which of the following are bacterial risk factors for peritonitis? Select all that apply.
A Perforation (appendicitis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer)
B External penetrating wound
C Gangrenous gallbladder
D Bowel obstruction
E Ascending genital infection
Why A, B, C, D, and E are correct: Bacterial risk factors for peritonitis include perforation,
external penetrating wounds, gangrenous gallbladder, bowel obstruction, ascending genital
infection, invasive tumor, surgical leakage, and peritoneal dialysis.
All options are correct bacterial risk factors.
, 4 Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is characterized by:
A Infection from an external penetrating wound
B Infection from a perforated ulcer
C Acidic fluid infection without an evident intra-abdominal source
D Infection from a gangrenous gallbladder
Why C is correct: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is an acidic fluid infection without an
evident intra-abdominal source, commonly seen in advanced cirrhosis patients with ascites.
A — This describes traumatic peritonitis.
B — This describes perforation-related peritonitis.
D — This describes infectious peritonitis from gallbladder rupture.
5 For all patients with peritonitis, what is the priority nursing action?
A Administer pain medication
B Take cultures and administer antibiotics
C Insert an NG tube
D Prepare the patient for surgery
Why B is correct: The priority with peritonitis is to take cultures and administer antibiotics
(narrowing down the bacteria to determine the appropriate antibiotic).
A — Pain management is important but not the priority.
C — NG tube may be needed but not the priority.
D — Surgery may be needed but cultures and antibiotics come first.
