NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS SAUNDERS - GI
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
A client had a new colostomy created 2 days earlier and is beginning to pass malodorous
flatus from the stoma. What is the correct interpreta�on by the nurse?
1. This is a normal, expected event.
2. The client is experiencing early signs of ischemic bowel.
3. The client should not have the nasogastric tube removed.
4. This indicates inadequate preopera�ve bowel prepara�on. - ans1. This is a normal, expected event.
Ra�onale: As peristalsis returns following crea�on of a colostomy, the client begins to pass malodorous
flatus. This indicates
returning bowel func�on and is an expected event. Within 72 hours of surgery, the client should begin
passing stool via the colostomy.
Op�ons 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
A client has been admited to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancrea��s and the nurse
is assessing the client's pain. What type of pain is consistent with this diagnosis?
1. Burning and aching, located in the le� lower quadrant and radia�ng to the hip
2. Severe and unrelen�ng, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the back
3. Burning and aching, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the umbilicus
4. Severe and unrelen�ng, located in the le� lower quadrant and radia�ng to the groin - ans2. Severe
and unrelen�ng, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the back
Ra�onale: The pain associated with acute pancrea��s is o�en severe and unrelen�ng, is located in the
epigastric region, and radiates
to the back. The other op�ons are incorrect.
,NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS SAUNDERS - GI
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
A client has developed hepa��s A a�er ea�ng contaminated oysters. The nurse assesses the
client for which expected assessment finding?
1. Malaise
2. Dark stools
3. Weight gain
4. Le� upper quadrant discomfort - ans1. Malaise
Ra�onale: Hepa��s causes gastrointes�nal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, right upper quadrant
discomfort, and weight loss.
Fa�gue and malaise are common. Stools will be light- or clay-colored if conjugated bilirubin is unable to
flow out of the liver because
of inflamma�on or obstruc�on of the bile ducts.
A client has just had a hemorrhoidectomy. Which nursing interven�ons are appropriate for this
client? Select all that apply.
1. Administer stool so�eners as prescribed.
2. Instruct the client to limit fluid intake to avoid urinary reten�on.
3. Instruct the client to avoid ac�vi�es that will ini�ate vasovagal responses.
4. Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
5. Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing un�l the packing is removed.
6. Help the client to a Fowler's posi�on to place pressure on the rectal area and decrease
bleeding. - ans1. Administer stool so�eners as prescribed.
4. Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
5. Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing un�l the packing is removed.
, NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS SAUNDERS - GI
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
Ra�onale: Nursing interven�ons a�er a hemorrhoidectomy are aimed at management of pain and
avoidance of bleeding and incision
rupture. Stool so�eners and a high-fiber diet will help the client avoid straining, thereby reducing the
chances of rupturing the incision.
An ice pack will increase comfort and decrease bleeding. Op�ons 2, 3, and 6 are incorrect interven�ons.
A client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the client in the
immediate postopera�ve period for which most frequent complica�on of this type of surgery?
1. Folate deficiency
2. Malabsorp�on of fat
3. Intes�nal obstruc�on
4. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance - ans4. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Ra�onale: A frequent complica�on that occurs following ileostomy is fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
The client requires constant
monitoring of intake and output to prevent this from occurring. Losses require replacement by
intravenous infusion un�l the client can
tolerate a diet orally. Intes�nal obstruc�on is a less frequent complica�on. Fat malabsorp�on and folate
deficiency are complica�ons
that could occur later in the postopera�ve period.
A client has undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The nurse should place highest priority
on which item as part of the client's care plan?
1. Monitoring the temperature
2. Monitoring complaints of heartburn
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
A client had a new colostomy created 2 days earlier and is beginning to pass malodorous
flatus from the stoma. What is the correct interpreta�on by the nurse?
1. This is a normal, expected event.
2. The client is experiencing early signs of ischemic bowel.
3. The client should not have the nasogastric tube removed.
4. This indicates inadequate preopera�ve bowel prepara�on. - ans1. This is a normal, expected event.
Ra�onale: As peristalsis returns following crea�on of a colostomy, the client begins to pass malodorous
flatus. This indicates
returning bowel func�on and is an expected event. Within 72 hours of surgery, the client should begin
passing stool via the colostomy.
Op�ons 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
A client has been admited to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancrea��s and the nurse
is assessing the client's pain. What type of pain is consistent with this diagnosis?
1. Burning and aching, located in the le� lower quadrant and radia�ng to the hip
2. Severe and unrelen�ng, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the back
3. Burning and aching, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the umbilicus
4. Severe and unrelen�ng, located in the le� lower quadrant and radia�ng to the groin - ans2. Severe
and unrelen�ng, located in the epigastric area and radia�ng to the back
Ra�onale: The pain associated with acute pancrea��s is o�en severe and unrelen�ng, is located in the
epigastric region, and radiates
to the back. The other op�ons are incorrect.
,NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS SAUNDERS - GI
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
A client has developed hepa��s A a�er ea�ng contaminated oysters. The nurse assesses the
client for which expected assessment finding?
1. Malaise
2. Dark stools
3. Weight gain
4. Le� upper quadrant discomfort - ans1. Malaise
Ra�onale: Hepa��s causes gastrointes�nal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, right upper quadrant
discomfort, and weight loss.
Fa�gue and malaise are common. Stools will be light- or clay-colored if conjugated bilirubin is unable to
flow out of the liver because
of inflamma�on or obstruc�on of the bile ducts.
A client has just had a hemorrhoidectomy. Which nursing interven�ons are appropriate for this
client? Select all that apply.
1. Administer stool so�eners as prescribed.
2. Instruct the client to limit fluid intake to avoid urinary reten�on.
3. Instruct the client to avoid ac�vi�es that will ini�ate vasovagal responses.
4. Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
5. Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing un�l the packing is removed.
6. Help the client to a Fowler's posi�on to place pressure on the rectal area and decrease
bleeding. - ans1. Administer stool so�eners as prescribed.
4. Encourage a high-fiber diet to promote bowel movements without straining.
5. Apply cold packs to the anal-rectal area over the dressing un�l the packing is removed.
, NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS SAUNDERS - GI
SYSTEM AND ANSWERS LATEST 2024 VERSION
VERIFIED RATIONALE GRADED A+
Ra�onale: Nursing interven�ons a�er a hemorrhoidectomy are aimed at management of pain and
avoidance of bleeding and incision
rupture. Stool so�eners and a high-fiber diet will help the client avoid straining, thereby reducing the
chances of rupturing the incision.
An ice pack will increase comfort and decrease bleeding. Op�ons 2, 3, and 6 are incorrect interven�ons.
A client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the client in the
immediate postopera�ve period for which most frequent complica�on of this type of surgery?
1. Folate deficiency
2. Malabsorp�on of fat
3. Intes�nal obstruc�on
4. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance - ans4. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Ra�onale: A frequent complica�on that occurs following ileostomy is fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
The client requires constant
monitoring of intake and output to prevent this from occurring. Losses require replacement by
intravenous infusion un�l the client can
tolerate a diet orally. Intes�nal obstruc�on is a less frequent complica�on. Fat malabsorp�on and folate
deficiency are complica�ons
that could occur later in the postopera�ve period.
A client has undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The nurse should place highest priority
on which item as part of the client's care plan?
1. Monitoring the temperature
2. Monitoring complaints of heartburn
