GI EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED)
1. The nurse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction would plan to
implement which nursing intervention first?
a. Administering pain medication
b. Obtaining a blood sample for laboratory studies
c. Preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube
d. Administering I.V. fluids-CORRECT ANSWER- Answer D. I.V. infusions
containing normal saline solution and potassium should be given first to maintain
fluid and electrolyte balance. For the client's comfort and to assist in bowel
decompression, the nurse should prepare to insert an NG tube next. A blood
sample is then obtained for laboratory studies to aid in the diagnosis of bowel
obstruction and guide treatment. Blood studies usually include a complete blood
count, serum electrolyte levels, and blood urea nitrogen level. Pain medication
often is withheld until obstruction is diagnosed because analgesics can decrease
intestinal motility
2. 1. An adult who has cholecystitis reports clay colored stools and moderate
jaundice. Which is the best explanation for the presence of clay colored stools and
jaundice?
,1. There is an obstruction in the pancreatic duct.
2. There are gallstones in the gallbladder.
3. Bile is no longer produced by the gallbladder.
4. There is an obstruction in the common bile duct.-CORRECT ANSWER- (4)
Clay colored stools means bile is not getting through to the duodenum. The bile
duct is obstructed so bile backs up into the bloodstream causing jaundice
3. Atropine 0.5 mg is ordered for a client having an acute attack of cholecysti- tis.
What is the primary purpose of this drug for this client?
1. decrease skeletal muscle spasms.
2. increase gastrointestinal peristalsis
3. decrease smooth muscle contractions
4. decrease anxiety-CORRECT ANSWER- (3) Atropine is an anticholinergic
drug , which will decrease contractions of the gallbladder.
4. An adult male is admitted to the hospital complaining of burning epigastric
pain. He reports to the nurse that he has gained 14 pounds over the last two
months. Which nursing response is best?
1. "Why were you eating more?"
2. "Has the weight gain been intentional?"
3. "Does your weight usually fluctuate this much?"
,4. "How did your eating habits change?"-CORRECT ANSWER- (4) Weight
gain may occur due to increased consumption of food as the client tries to feed a
duodenal ulcer. "Why" questions are threatening to clients. #3 asks for a yes or
no answer. This will not give as much information as asking about the eating
habits.
5. A barium enema is ordered for an adult male client. The nurse is teaching
him what to expect regarding the procedure. Which statement should be
included in the teaching?
1. Fecal matter must be cleansed from the bowel for good visualization.
2. There will be no food restrictions before the test.
3. He will not have to change positions during the procedure.
4. He will be asked to drink barium during the procedure.-CORRECT
ANSWER- 1) The bowel must be free of fecal material for good visualization of
the bowel. He will be on a clear liquid or low residue diet for the day preceding the
exam. The client is put in several positions during the test. Barium is given by
enema. It is given by mouth in an upper GI series.
6. An adult is admitted with a duodenal ulcer. On the second day after admis-
sion, the client develops severe, persistent pain radiating to the shoulder. What
action should the nurse take first?
1. Notify the physician.
2. Place client in a high-Fowler's position to decrease pressure on the gastric area
and shoulder.
3. Examine the client for board-like rigidity of the abdomen.
, 4. Administer ordered prn pain medication.-CORRECT ANSWER- (3) The nurse
should first do a quick assessment to determine if the cause of the pain is more apt
to be perforation of the ulcer or something else such as cardiac pain. If the ulcer has
perforated the client's abdomen will be tender and rigid - board like.
7. . During preparation for bowel surgery, a male client receives an antibiotic to
reduce intestinal bacteria. Antibiotic therapy may interfere with synthesis of
which vitamin and may lead to hypoprothrombinemia?
a. vitamin A
b. vitamin D
c. vitamin E
d. vitamin K-CORRECT ANSWER- Answer D. Intestinal bacteria synthesize
such nutritional substances as vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B12, folic
acid, biotin, and nicotinic acid. Therefore, antibiotic therapy may interfere with
synthesis of these substances, including vitamin K. Intestinal bacteria don't
synthesize vitamins A, D, or E.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED)
1. The nurse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction would plan to
implement which nursing intervention first?
a. Administering pain medication
b. Obtaining a blood sample for laboratory studies
c. Preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube
d. Administering I.V. fluids-CORRECT ANSWER- Answer D. I.V. infusions
containing normal saline solution and potassium should be given first to maintain
fluid and electrolyte balance. For the client's comfort and to assist in bowel
decompression, the nurse should prepare to insert an NG tube next. A blood
sample is then obtained for laboratory studies to aid in the diagnosis of bowel
obstruction and guide treatment. Blood studies usually include a complete blood
count, serum electrolyte levels, and blood urea nitrogen level. Pain medication
often is withheld until obstruction is diagnosed because analgesics can decrease
intestinal motility
2. 1. An adult who has cholecystitis reports clay colored stools and moderate
jaundice. Which is the best explanation for the presence of clay colored stools and
jaundice?
,1. There is an obstruction in the pancreatic duct.
2. There are gallstones in the gallbladder.
3. Bile is no longer produced by the gallbladder.
4. There is an obstruction in the common bile duct.-CORRECT ANSWER- (4)
Clay colored stools means bile is not getting through to the duodenum. The bile
duct is obstructed so bile backs up into the bloodstream causing jaundice
3. Atropine 0.5 mg is ordered for a client having an acute attack of cholecysti- tis.
What is the primary purpose of this drug for this client?
1. decrease skeletal muscle spasms.
2. increase gastrointestinal peristalsis
3. decrease smooth muscle contractions
4. decrease anxiety-CORRECT ANSWER- (3) Atropine is an anticholinergic
drug , which will decrease contractions of the gallbladder.
4. An adult male is admitted to the hospital complaining of burning epigastric
pain. He reports to the nurse that he has gained 14 pounds over the last two
months. Which nursing response is best?
1. "Why were you eating more?"
2. "Has the weight gain been intentional?"
3. "Does your weight usually fluctuate this much?"
,4. "How did your eating habits change?"-CORRECT ANSWER- (4) Weight
gain may occur due to increased consumption of food as the client tries to feed a
duodenal ulcer. "Why" questions are threatening to clients. #3 asks for a yes or
no answer. This will not give as much information as asking about the eating
habits.
5. A barium enema is ordered for an adult male client. The nurse is teaching
him what to expect regarding the procedure. Which statement should be
included in the teaching?
1. Fecal matter must be cleansed from the bowel for good visualization.
2. There will be no food restrictions before the test.
3. He will not have to change positions during the procedure.
4. He will be asked to drink barium during the procedure.-CORRECT
ANSWER- 1) The bowel must be free of fecal material for good visualization of
the bowel. He will be on a clear liquid or low residue diet for the day preceding the
exam. The client is put in several positions during the test. Barium is given by
enema. It is given by mouth in an upper GI series.
6. An adult is admitted with a duodenal ulcer. On the second day after admis-
sion, the client develops severe, persistent pain radiating to the shoulder. What
action should the nurse take first?
1. Notify the physician.
2. Place client in a high-Fowler's position to decrease pressure on the gastric area
and shoulder.
3. Examine the client for board-like rigidity of the abdomen.
, 4. Administer ordered prn pain medication.-CORRECT ANSWER- (3) The nurse
should first do a quick assessment to determine if the cause of the pain is more apt
to be perforation of the ulcer or something else such as cardiac pain. If the ulcer has
perforated the client's abdomen will be tender and rigid - board like.
7. . During preparation for bowel surgery, a male client receives an antibiotic to
reduce intestinal bacteria. Antibiotic therapy may interfere with synthesis of
which vitamin and may lead to hypoprothrombinemia?
a. vitamin A
b. vitamin D
c. vitamin E
d. vitamin K-CORRECT ANSWER- Answer D. Intestinal bacteria synthesize
such nutritional substances as vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B12, folic
acid, biotin, and nicotinic acid. Therefore, antibiotic therapy may interfere with
synthesis of these substances, including vitamin K. Intestinal bacteria don't
synthesize vitamins A, D, or E.
