ATI Pharmacology Made Easy 5.0 – The
Gastrointestinal System Test | Complete Q&A
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed sucralfate for
peptic ulcer disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) "Take this medication with an antacid."
B) "Take this medication 1 hour before meals and at bedtime."
C) "Take this medication with a full glass of milk."
D) "Take this medication immediately after meals."
Answer: B) "Take this medication 1 hour before meals and at
bedtime."
Explanation: Sucralfate (Carafate) works by forming a protective
barrier over the ulcer. It should be taken on an empty stomach, 1
hour before meals and at bedtime, to coat the ulcer effectively.
Antacids should be avoided within 30 minutes of taking sucralfate
because they decrease its effectiveness.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is taking
omeprazole. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
,provider?
A) Magnesium 1.2 mg/dL
B) Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
C) Sodium 138 mEq/L
D) Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: A) Magnesium 1.2 mg/dL
Explanation: Long-term use of omeprazole and other proton pump
inhibitors can cause hypomagnesemia. A magnesium level of 1.2
mg/dL is critically low (normal 1.5-2.5 mg/dL) and should be
reported immediately. The other values are within normal limits.
Question 3
A client is prescribed ondansetron for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as a potential
adverse effect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Prolonged QT interval
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: B) Prolonged QT interval
Explanation: Ondansetron (Zofran) can cause QT prolongation, which
may lead to serious ventricular arrhythmias such as torsades de
pointes. The nurse should monitor the client's ECG and report any
rhythm changes immediately.
,Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed loperamide for
diarrhea. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should take this medication if I have a fever."
B) "I should take this medication if I have bloody stools."
C) "I should not take this medication if I have a fever or bloody stools."
D) "I should take this medication with a high-fat meal."
Answer: C) "I should not take this medication if I have a fever or
bloody stools."
Explanation: Loperamide (Imodium) should not be used in clients with
fever or bloody stools because it can worsen infectious diarrhea by
slowing the elimination of pathogens. It is also contraindicated in
acute ulcerative colitis.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving metoclopramide. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A) Drowsiness
B) Restlessness and involuntary movements
C) Dry mouth
D) Constipation
, Answer: B) Restlessness and involuntary movements
Explanation: Metoclopramide (Reglan) can cause extrapyramidal
symptoms, including restlessness, dystonia, and parkinsonism.
These are serious adverse effects that require immediate reporting.
Drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation are common but less
urgent side effects.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for psyllium.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Take this medication with a full glass of water or juice."
B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
C) "Expect results within 30 minutes."
D) "Avoid fluids after taking this medication."
Answer: A) "Take this medication with a full glass of water or juice."
Explanation: Psyllium (Metamucil) is a bulk-forming laxative that
must be mixed with a full glass of liquid to prevent choking and
esophageal obstruction. It takes 12-72 hours to produce results and
should be taken with plenty of fluids.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking sulfasalazine for ulcerative
colitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
Gastrointestinal System Test | Complete Q&A
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed sucralfate for
peptic ulcer disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) "Take this medication with an antacid."
B) "Take this medication 1 hour before meals and at bedtime."
C) "Take this medication with a full glass of milk."
D) "Take this medication immediately after meals."
Answer: B) "Take this medication 1 hour before meals and at
bedtime."
Explanation: Sucralfate (Carafate) works by forming a protective
barrier over the ulcer. It should be taken on an empty stomach, 1
hour before meals and at bedtime, to coat the ulcer effectively.
Antacids should be avoided within 30 minutes of taking sucralfate
because they decrease its effectiveness.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is taking
omeprazole. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
,provider?
A) Magnesium 1.2 mg/dL
B) Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
C) Sodium 138 mEq/L
D) Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: A) Magnesium 1.2 mg/dL
Explanation: Long-term use of omeprazole and other proton pump
inhibitors can cause hypomagnesemia. A magnesium level of 1.2
mg/dL is critically low (normal 1.5-2.5 mg/dL) and should be
reported immediately. The other values are within normal limits.
Question 3
A client is prescribed ondansetron for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as a potential
adverse effect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Prolonged QT interval
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: B) Prolonged QT interval
Explanation: Ondansetron (Zofran) can cause QT prolongation, which
may lead to serious ventricular arrhythmias such as torsades de
pointes. The nurse should monitor the client's ECG and report any
rhythm changes immediately.
,Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed loperamide for
diarrhea. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should take this medication if I have a fever."
B) "I should take this medication if I have bloody stools."
C) "I should not take this medication if I have a fever or bloody stools."
D) "I should take this medication with a high-fat meal."
Answer: C) "I should not take this medication if I have a fever or
bloody stools."
Explanation: Loperamide (Imodium) should not be used in clients with
fever or bloody stools because it can worsen infectious diarrhea by
slowing the elimination of pathogens. It is also contraindicated in
acute ulcerative colitis.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving metoclopramide. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A) Drowsiness
B) Restlessness and involuntary movements
C) Dry mouth
D) Constipation
, Answer: B) Restlessness and involuntary movements
Explanation: Metoclopramide (Reglan) can cause extrapyramidal
symptoms, including restlessness, dystonia, and parkinsonism.
These are serious adverse effects that require immediate reporting.
Drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation are common but less
urgent side effects.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for psyllium.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Take this medication with a full glass of water or juice."
B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
C) "Expect results within 30 minutes."
D) "Avoid fluids after taking this medication."
Answer: A) "Take this medication with a full glass of water or juice."
Explanation: Psyllium (Metamucil) is a bulk-forming laxative that
must be mixed with a full glass of liquid to prevent choking and
esophageal obstruction. It takes 12-72 hours to produce results and
should be taken with plenty of fluids.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking sulfasalazine for ulcerative
colitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
