NUR 257 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | COMPLETE NURSING FINAL
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is not have daily bowel movements and has begun taking a laxative for this problem. What
should the nurse educate the patient about regarding laxative use?
A. When taking the laxatives, plenty of fluid should be taken as well.
B. The laxatives should be taken no more than 3 times a week or laxative addiction will result.
C. Laxatives should not be routinely taken due to destruction of nerve endings in the colon.
D. Laxatives should never be the first response for the treatment of constipation; natural methods should
be employed first. - correct answer ✔✔D. Laxatives should not be routinely taken due to destruction of
nerve endings in the colon.
A client with an infection in the area between the internal and external sphincters. In which chronic
disease is this condition commonly seen?
A. Crohn's Disease
B. diverticulosis
C. ulcerative colitis
D. irritable bowel syndrome - correct answer ✔✔A. Crohn's Disease
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had an appendectomy. What is the best position for the nurse
to maintain the patient in after surgery?
A. Prone
B. Sims' left lateral
C. High Fowler's
D. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 15 degrees - correct answer ✔✔C. High Fowler's
A curse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction should plan to implement which nursing
interventions first?
A. Administering pain medication
B. Obtaining a blood sample for laboratory studies
C. Preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube
D. Administering I.V. fluids - correct answer ✔✔D. Administering I.V. fluids
A client has been experiencing lower GI difficulties that have increased in severity, and the
gastroenterologist is concerned that the client's bowel is not functioning properly. What function of the
lower GI tract is most likely to be affected by the client's disorder?
A. water and electrolyte absorption
B. protein digestion
C. fat digestion
D. All options are correct - correct answer ✔✔A. water and electrolyte absorption
, The nurse observes the physician palpating the abdomen of a client that is suspected of having acute
appendicitis. When the abdomen is pressed in the left lower quadrant the client complains of pain on
the right side. What does the nurse understand this assessment technique is referred to?
A. Referred pain
B. Rebound pain
C. Rovsing sign
D. Cremasteric reflex - correct answer ✔✔C. Rovsing sign
A positive Rovsing's sign is indicative of appendicitis. A nurse knows to assess for this indicator by
palpating the:
A. Right lower quadrant
B. Left lower quadrant
C. Right upper quadrant
D. Left upper quadrant - correct answer ✔✔B. Left lower quadrant
Which type of diarrhea is caused by increased production of water and electrolytes by the intestinal
mucosa and their secretion into the intestinal lumen?
A. Osmotic diarrhea
B. Secretory diarrhea
C. Mixed diarrhea
D. Diarrheal disease - correct answer ✔✔B. Secretory diarrhea
Which is the most prominent signs of inflammatory bowel disease?
A. Abdominal distention and constipation
B. Intermittent pain and diarrhea
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds and constipation
D. Increased peristalsis and diarrhea - correct answer ✔✔B. Intermittent pain and diarrhea
Clients with irritable bowel disease (IBS) are at significantly increased risk for which condition?
A. Osteoporosis
B. DVT
C. Hypotension
D. Pneumonia - correct answer ✔✔A. Osteoporosis
When planning care for a client with a small-bowel obstruction, the nurse should consider the primary
goal to be:
A. reporting pain relief
B. maintaining body weight.
C. maintaining fluid balance
D. reestablishing a normal bowel pattern - correct answer ✔✔C. maintaining fluid balance
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
A patient is not have daily bowel movements and has begun taking a laxative for this problem. What
should the nurse educate the patient about regarding laxative use?
A. When taking the laxatives, plenty of fluid should be taken as well.
B. The laxatives should be taken no more than 3 times a week or laxative addiction will result.
C. Laxatives should not be routinely taken due to destruction of nerve endings in the colon.
D. Laxatives should never be the first response for the treatment of constipation; natural methods should
be employed first. - correct answer ✔✔D. Laxatives should not be routinely taken due to destruction of
nerve endings in the colon.
A client with an infection in the area between the internal and external sphincters. In which chronic
disease is this condition commonly seen?
A. Crohn's Disease
B. diverticulosis
C. ulcerative colitis
D. irritable bowel syndrome - correct answer ✔✔A. Crohn's Disease
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had an appendectomy. What is the best position for the nurse
to maintain the patient in after surgery?
A. Prone
B. Sims' left lateral
C. High Fowler's
D. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 15 degrees - correct answer ✔✔C. High Fowler's
A curse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction should plan to implement which nursing
interventions first?
A. Administering pain medication
B. Obtaining a blood sample for laboratory studies
C. Preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube
D. Administering I.V. fluids - correct answer ✔✔D. Administering I.V. fluids
A client has been experiencing lower GI difficulties that have increased in severity, and the
gastroenterologist is concerned that the client's bowel is not functioning properly. What function of the
lower GI tract is most likely to be affected by the client's disorder?
A. water and electrolyte absorption
B. protein digestion
C. fat digestion
D. All options are correct - correct answer ✔✔A. water and electrolyte absorption
, The nurse observes the physician palpating the abdomen of a client that is suspected of having acute
appendicitis. When the abdomen is pressed in the left lower quadrant the client complains of pain on
the right side. What does the nurse understand this assessment technique is referred to?
A. Referred pain
B. Rebound pain
C. Rovsing sign
D. Cremasteric reflex - correct answer ✔✔C. Rovsing sign
A positive Rovsing's sign is indicative of appendicitis. A nurse knows to assess for this indicator by
palpating the:
A. Right lower quadrant
B. Left lower quadrant
C. Right upper quadrant
D. Left upper quadrant - correct answer ✔✔B. Left lower quadrant
Which type of diarrhea is caused by increased production of water and electrolytes by the intestinal
mucosa and their secretion into the intestinal lumen?
A. Osmotic diarrhea
B. Secretory diarrhea
C. Mixed diarrhea
D. Diarrheal disease - correct answer ✔✔B. Secretory diarrhea
Which is the most prominent signs of inflammatory bowel disease?
A. Abdominal distention and constipation
B. Intermittent pain and diarrhea
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds and constipation
D. Increased peristalsis and diarrhea - correct answer ✔✔B. Intermittent pain and diarrhea
Clients with irritable bowel disease (IBS) are at significantly increased risk for which condition?
A. Osteoporosis
B. DVT
C. Hypotension
D. Pneumonia - correct answer ✔✔A. Osteoporosis
When planning care for a client with a small-bowel obstruction, the nurse should consider the primary
goal to be:
A. reporting pain relief
B. maintaining body weight.
C. maintaining fluid balance
D. reestablishing a normal bowel pattern - correct answer ✔✔C. maintaining fluid balance
