ATI Med Surg
Gastrointestinal — Original
Practice Questions with
answers(1–100)
Section 1: GI Assessment
and Diagnostic Procedures
(1–20)
1. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Answer: B — Auscultation must precede palpation and percussion because these stimulate
bowel motility and alter bowel sound findings .
2. A nurse is caring for a client 1 hour after an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which
finding requires immediate provider notification?
A) Sore throat and mild hoarseness
B) Absence of the gag reflex
C) Sudden sharp substernal pain
D) Diffuse abdominal bloating
Answer: C — Sharp, radiating substernal pain can indicate esophageal or gastric perforation,
a life-threatening emergency .
3. What is the priority nursing assessment after an EGD?
A) Monitoring for sore throat
B) Auscultating bowel sounds
C) Checking pain level
D) Assessing return of the gag reflex
,Answer: D — Airway is the priority; the gag reflex is absent for 1–2 hours due to topical
anesthetics .
4. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy asks about bowel preparation. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "My spouse will drive me home."
B) "I should refrigerate the prep solution."
C) "I will buy Gatorade before the prep."
D) "I love orange and cherry gelatin."
Answer: D — Red/orange gelatin can interfere with visualization; clear liquids only .
5. What position promotes comfort after a colonoscopy?
A) Left lateral
B) Prone
C) Right lateral
D) Supine
Answer: A — Left lateral helps expel residual air and reduce cramping .
6. A nurse is assessing a client with right upper quadrant pain. Which technique is correct?
A) Auscultate after palpating
B) Avoid all palpation
C) Palpate the RUQ first
D) Palpate the RUQ last
Answer: D — Palpate the painful area last to prevent tensing that affects the rest of the
exam .
7. A client has a bulging, pulsating abdominal mass. What is the priority action?
A) Measure the mass
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Do not palpate the mass
D) Prepare for barium enema
Answer: C — A pulsating mass may be an abdominal aortic aneurysm; palpation can cause
rupture .
8. Which diagnostic test is the gold standard for evaluating dysphagia?
A) Pulse oximetry
B) Esophageal scintigraphy
C) Esophageal manometry
D) Videofluoroscopy
Answer: D — Videofluoroscopy (modified barium swallow) best demonstrates the
swallowing mechanism .
9. A client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) Left lower quadrant pain
, B) Hyperactive bowel sounds
C) Pain relieved by coughing
D) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Answer: D — Appendicitis presents with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness at McBurney's
point .
10. Which lab value indicates acute pancreatitis?
A) Decreased amylase
B) Low bilirubin
C) Decreased glucose
D) Increased lipase
Answer: D — Elevated lipase is a key indicator of pancreatitis .
11. A client is scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). What
should the nurse assess first?
A) Document allergies
B) Ensure a ride home
C) Instruct on bowel prep
D) Ask about shellfish allergies
Answer: D — PTC uses iodine-based contrast; shellfish allergy increases risk of reaction .
12. A client receiving midazolam for EGD has a respiratory rate of 8/min. What action is
best?
A) Administer naloxone
B) Call Rapid Response
C) Ventilate with bag-valve-mask
D) Provide physical stimulation
Answer: D — Mild respiratory depression is expected; physical stimulation often suffices.
Naloxone is for opioids .
13. Which method is reliable for verifying NG tube placement?
A) Inject air and auscultate
B) Measure tube length
C) Observe for coughing
D) Check pH of aspirate
Answer: D — Gastric aspirate pH of 1–5 confirms placement; auscultation is unreliable .
14. A nurse is teaching about GERD management. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) "I will lie down after meals."
B) "I will avoid spicy foods."
C) "I will drink alcohol daily."
D) "I will eat large meals."
Gastrointestinal — Original
Practice Questions with
answers(1–100)
Section 1: GI Assessment
and Diagnostic Procedures
(1–20)
1. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Answer: B — Auscultation must precede palpation and percussion because these stimulate
bowel motility and alter bowel sound findings .
2. A nurse is caring for a client 1 hour after an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which
finding requires immediate provider notification?
A) Sore throat and mild hoarseness
B) Absence of the gag reflex
C) Sudden sharp substernal pain
D) Diffuse abdominal bloating
Answer: C — Sharp, radiating substernal pain can indicate esophageal or gastric perforation,
a life-threatening emergency .
3. What is the priority nursing assessment after an EGD?
A) Monitoring for sore throat
B) Auscultating bowel sounds
C) Checking pain level
D) Assessing return of the gag reflex
,Answer: D — Airway is the priority; the gag reflex is absent for 1–2 hours due to topical
anesthetics .
4. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy asks about bowel preparation. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "My spouse will drive me home."
B) "I should refrigerate the prep solution."
C) "I will buy Gatorade before the prep."
D) "I love orange and cherry gelatin."
Answer: D — Red/orange gelatin can interfere with visualization; clear liquids only .
5. What position promotes comfort after a colonoscopy?
A) Left lateral
B) Prone
C) Right lateral
D) Supine
Answer: A — Left lateral helps expel residual air and reduce cramping .
6. A nurse is assessing a client with right upper quadrant pain. Which technique is correct?
A) Auscultate after palpating
B) Avoid all palpation
C) Palpate the RUQ first
D) Palpate the RUQ last
Answer: D — Palpate the painful area last to prevent tensing that affects the rest of the
exam .
7. A client has a bulging, pulsating abdominal mass. What is the priority action?
A) Measure the mass
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Do not palpate the mass
D) Prepare for barium enema
Answer: C — A pulsating mass may be an abdominal aortic aneurysm; palpation can cause
rupture .
8. Which diagnostic test is the gold standard for evaluating dysphagia?
A) Pulse oximetry
B) Esophageal scintigraphy
C) Esophageal manometry
D) Videofluoroscopy
Answer: D — Videofluoroscopy (modified barium swallow) best demonstrates the
swallowing mechanism .
9. A client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) Left lower quadrant pain
, B) Hyperactive bowel sounds
C) Pain relieved by coughing
D) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
Answer: D — Appendicitis presents with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness at McBurney's
point .
10. Which lab value indicates acute pancreatitis?
A) Decreased amylase
B) Low bilirubin
C) Decreased glucose
D) Increased lipase
Answer: D — Elevated lipase is a key indicator of pancreatitis .
11. A client is scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). What
should the nurse assess first?
A) Document allergies
B) Ensure a ride home
C) Instruct on bowel prep
D) Ask about shellfish allergies
Answer: D — PTC uses iodine-based contrast; shellfish allergy increases risk of reaction .
12. A client receiving midazolam for EGD has a respiratory rate of 8/min. What action is
best?
A) Administer naloxone
B) Call Rapid Response
C) Ventilate with bag-valve-mask
D) Provide physical stimulation
Answer: D — Mild respiratory depression is expected; physical stimulation often suffices.
Naloxone is for opioids .
13. Which method is reliable for verifying NG tube placement?
A) Inject air and auscultate
B) Measure tube length
C) Observe for coughing
D) Check pH of aspirate
Answer: D — Gastric aspirate pH of 1–5 confirms placement; auscultation is unreliable .
14. A nurse is teaching about GERD management. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) "I will lie down after meals."
B) "I will avoid spicy foods."
C) "I will drink alcohol daily."
D) "I will eat large meals."
