RN TARGETED MEDICAL SURGICAL
GASTROINTESTINAL NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a colonoscopy. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
o A. Take nothing by mouth for 12 hours before the procedure.
o B. Drink only water for 48 hours prior to the procedure.
o C. Avoid all solid foods for 24 hours prior to the procedure.
o D. Drink clear liquids for 24 hours prior to the procedure,
then take nothing by mouth for 6 hours before the
procedure.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has mild
diverticulitis. Which statement indicates understanding of the
teaching?
o A. "I should increase my fiber intake immediately."
o B. "I should eat foods that are low in fiber."
o C. "I can use laxatives to help with bowel movements."
o D. "I will avoid carbonated beverages."
, 3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client with acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
o A. Decreased amylase levels
o B. Increased amylase levels
o C. Decreased glucose levels
o D. Increased sodium levels
2. True/False Questions
1. Clients with chronic hepatitis C should avoid medications that
contain acetaminophen.
o True
2. A nurse should instruct a client with cirrhosis to monitor their
weight and abdominal girth daily.
o True
3. A client with acute hepatitis B is expected to have joint pain.
o True
3. Short Answer Questions
1. What dietary changes should a nurse recommend for a client
with chronic pancreatitis?
o The client should consume a low-fat diet and choose foods
high in protein and adequate in carbohydrates.
2. What should a nurse instruct a client with cirrhosis and ascites to
do daily to monitor fluid accumulation?
, o The nurse should instruct the client to measure abdominal
girth and monitor their weight daily.
3. What medication should be used cautiously or avoided in clients
with enteritis to prevent dehydration?
o Magnesium hydroxide should be avoided, as it increases
gastrointestinal motility and can contribute to dehydration.
4. Scenario-Based Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has upper gastrointestinal
bleeding. Which of the following findings might indicate
hemorrhagic shock?
o Answer: Hypotension, tachycardia, weak peripheral pulses,
and decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are signs
of hemorrhagic shock.
2. A client with a new diagnosis of celiac disease asks how they can
increase fiber in their diet. What would the nurse recommend?
o Answer: The nurse should suggest eating fiber-rich gluten-
free foods like beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
3. A client recovering from a gastrectomy asks which foods they
should avoid to reduce the risk of dumping syndrome. How
should the nurse respond?
o Answer: The nurse should advise the client to avoid high-
sugar foods and drinks, such as ice cream, sweetened juices,
and honey, to help reduce dumping syndrome symptoms.
4. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a
colonoscopy. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching
GASTROINTESTINAL NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a colonoscopy. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
o A. Take nothing by mouth for 12 hours before the procedure.
o B. Drink only water for 48 hours prior to the procedure.
o C. Avoid all solid foods for 24 hours prior to the procedure.
o D. Drink clear liquids for 24 hours prior to the procedure,
then take nothing by mouth for 6 hours before the
procedure.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has mild
diverticulitis. Which statement indicates understanding of the
teaching?
o A. "I should increase my fiber intake immediately."
o B. "I should eat foods that are low in fiber."
o C. "I can use laxatives to help with bowel movements."
o D. "I will avoid carbonated beverages."
, 3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client with acute
pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
o A. Decreased amylase levels
o B. Increased amylase levels
o C. Decreased glucose levels
o D. Increased sodium levels
2. True/False Questions
1. Clients with chronic hepatitis C should avoid medications that
contain acetaminophen.
o True
2. A nurse should instruct a client with cirrhosis to monitor their
weight and abdominal girth daily.
o True
3. A client with acute hepatitis B is expected to have joint pain.
o True
3. Short Answer Questions
1. What dietary changes should a nurse recommend for a client
with chronic pancreatitis?
o The client should consume a low-fat diet and choose foods
high in protein and adequate in carbohydrates.
2. What should a nurse instruct a client with cirrhosis and ascites to
do daily to monitor fluid accumulation?
, o The nurse should instruct the client to measure abdominal
girth and monitor their weight daily.
3. What medication should be used cautiously or avoided in clients
with enteritis to prevent dehydration?
o Magnesium hydroxide should be avoided, as it increases
gastrointestinal motility and can contribute to dehydration.
4. Scenario-Based Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has upper gastrointestinal
bleeding. Which of the following findings might indicate
hemorrhagic shock?
o Answer: Hypotension, tachycardia, weak peripheral pulses,
and decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are signs
of hemorrhagic shock.
2. A client with a new diagnosis of celiac disease asks how they can
increase fiber in their diet. What would the nurse recommend?
o Answer: The nurse should suggest eating fiber-rich gluten-
free foods like beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
3. A client recovering from a gastrectomy asks which foods they
should avoid to reduce the risk of dumping syndrome. How
should the nurse respond?
o Answer: The nurse should advise the client to avoid high-
sugar foods and drinks, such as ice cream, sweetened juices,
and honey, to help reduce dumping syndrome symptoms.
4. A nurse is teaching a client to prepare for a
colonoscopy. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching
