RN TARGETED MEDICAL SURGICAL
GASTROINTESTINAL ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS 2024-2025
1. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a colonoscopy. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching: "Drink clear
liquids for 24 hr prior to the procedure, then take nothing by mouth for 6 hr
before the procedure
The nurse should instruct the client to drink clear liquids for 24 hr prior to
the colonoscopy to promote adequate bowel cleansing.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has mild
diverticulitis. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates
an understanding of the teaching: "I should eat foods that are low in fiber
The nurse should instruct a client who has diverticulitis to follow a low-fiber
diet. When the inflammation subsides, the client should consume foods that
are high in fiber.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client following an
ileostomy. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the
following to the provider?: Dark purple stoma
The nurse should instruct the client to contact the provider if the stoma is a
dark purple color, which is an indication of bowel ischemia.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a duodenal ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: The client reports that the pain
occurs during the night
Pain associated with a duodenal ulcer occurs when the stomach is empty,
which is typically 1.5 to 3 hr after meals and during the night.
, 5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client whose has acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?:
Increased amylase
Serum amylase levels are increased in a client who has acute pancreatitis due
to pancreatic cell injury.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has GERD and a new prescription for
metoclopramide. The nurse should plan to monitor for which of the
following adverse effects?: Ataxia
The nurse should plan to monitor the client for extrapyramidal symptoms,
such as ataxia, and should report any of these findings to the provider.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has colorectal cancer and is having
chemotherapy. The client ask the nurse why blood is being drawn for a
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level. Which of the following responses
should the nurse make: "The CEA determines the efficacy of your
chemotherapy"
A provider uses the CEA level to determine the efficacy of the chemotherapy.
The client's CEA levels will decrease if the chemotherapy is effective.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute hepatitis B. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: Joint pain
Joint pain is an expected finding in a client who has acute hepatitis B.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has GERD.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching?: "I will decrease the amount of carbonated beverages I drink"
The nurse should instruct the client to limit or eliminate fatty foods, coffee,
tea, carbonated beverages, and chocolate from the diet because they irritate
the lining of the stomach.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has chronic
hepatitis C. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?: "I will avoid medications that contain
acetaminophen"
A client who has hepatitis C should avoid medications that contain
acetaminophen, which can cause additional liver damage.
GASTROINTESTINAL ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS 2024-2025
1. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a colonoscopy. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching: "Drink clear
liquids for 24 hr prior to the procedure, then take nothing by mouth for 6 hr
before the procedure
The nurse should instruct the client to drink clear liquids for 24 hr prior to
the colonoscopy to promote adequate bowel cleansing.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has mild
diverticulitis. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates
an understanding of the teaching: "I should eat foods that are low in fiber
The nurse should instruct a client who has diverticulitis to follow a low-fiber
diet. When the inflammation subsides, the client should consume foods that
are high in fiber.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client following an
ileostomy. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the
following to the provider?: Dark purple stoma
The nurse should instruct the client to contact the provider if the stoma is a
dark purple color, which is an indication of bowel ischemia.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a duodenal ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: The client reports that the pain
occurs during the night
Pain associated with a duodenal ulcer occurs when the stomach is empty,
which is typically 1.5 to 3 hr after meals and during the night.
, 5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client whose has acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?:
Increased amylase
Serum amylase levels are increased in a client who has acute pancreatitis due
to pancreatic cell injury.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has GERD and a new prescription for
metoclopramide. The nurse should plan to monitor for which of the
following adverse effects?: Ataxia
The nurse should plan to monitor the client for extrapyramidal symptoms,
such as ataxia, and should report any of these findings to the provider.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has colorectal cancer and is having
chemotherapy. The client ask the nurse why blood is being drawn for a
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level. Which of the following responses
should the nurse make: "The CEA determines the efficacy of your
chemotherapy"
A provider uses the CEA level to determine the efficacy of the chemotherapy.
The client's CEA levels will decrease if the chemotherapy is effective.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute hepatitis B. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?: Joint pain
Joint pain is an expected finding in a client who has acute hepatitis B.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has GERD.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching?: "I will decrease the amount of carbonated beverages I drink"
The nurse should instruct the client to limit or eliminate fatty foods, coffee,
tea, carbonated beverages, and chocolate from the diet because they irritate
the lining of the stomach.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has chronic
hepatitis C. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?: "I will avoid medications that contain
acetaminophen"
A client who has hepatitis C should avoid medications that contain
acetaminophen, which can cause additional liver damage.
