QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT ANSWERS) ACTUAL
ATI MED SURGE GI (GASTROINTESTINAL) EXAM
GRADED A+
Your pt has just returned from a scope procedure to obtain a biopsy of
his gastric mucosa. What is a priority assessment?
Monitor for gag reflex
Pre-Barium Swallow Test Procedures
NPO greater than or equal to 8h, hold opioid analgesics and
anticholinergics, drink 16 ounces of Bariu
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?
A. "I will decrease the amount of carbonated beverages I drink."
-The nurse should instruct the client to limit or eliminate fatty foods,
coffee, cola, tea, carbonated beverages, & chocolate from his diet
because they irrigate the lining of the stomach. Client should drink a
glass of water immediately after taking an antacid tablet. The client
,should eat 4-6 small meals/day & avoid snacking before bed. Client
should sit upright for 1-2 hr after meals.
A nurse is teaching a client how to prepare for a colonoscopy. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
C. Drink clear liquids for 24 hr prior to the procedure, and 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. Maintaining
NPO status for 4-6 hr prior to the colonoscopy preserves the bowel's
cleansed state. Client needs to drink oral liquid preparation the day
before the colonoscopy to ensure adequate time for bowel cleansing.
Client should drink the oral liquid preparation quickly to prevent
nausea.
A nurse is admitting a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
C. Identify the client's current level of pain.
-The first action the nurse should take when using the nursing process is
to assess the client. Clients who have acute pancreatitis often have
severe abdominal pain. By assessing the client's level of pain, the nurse
can identify the need for and implement interventions to alleviate the
client's pain.
A nurse is assessing a client who has appendicitis. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
,A. Oral temp 38.4C (101.1F)D. Nausea and vomitingE. Right lower
quadrant pain
-Low-grade temperature, nausea and vomiting, and right lower
quadrant pain are expected. WBC 10,000-18,000/mm3 is expected and
bloody diarrhea (sign of colorectal cancer) is NOT expected.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who has
colorectal cancer. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
D. Hemoglobin 9.1 g/dL
-Decreased Hgb is an expected finding in pt with colorectal cancer bc of
occult intestinal bleeding. Fecal occult blood test should be positive bc
colorectal cancer causes GI bleeding. Elevated CEA level is expected. Hct
43% is w/in expected reference range, hct should be decreased due to
occult intestinal bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a client who has peritonitis. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
B. Board-like abdomen
-A board-like, distended abdomen, accompanied by extreme pain and
tenderness, is expected. Bloody diarrhea = colorectal cancer,
periumbilical cyanosis = pancreatitis, diminished bowel sounds =
peritonitis
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has hepatic
cirrhosis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse
report to the provider?
, D. Ammonia 180 mcg/dL
-Above expected reference range of 10-80 mcg/dL. The RN should
report an increased serum ammonia level b/c it can indicate port-
systemic encephalopathy.
A nurse is assessing a client who has acute hepatitis B. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Joint pain
-Obstipation (failure to pass stools) = complete bowel obstruction,
abdominal distention = small bowel obstruction, periumbilical
discoloration = intraperitoneal bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a client who has upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
C. Hypotension
-Pt w/ upper GI bleeding is at risk for hemorrhagic shock. Hypotension,
tachycardia, weak peripheral pulses, and decreased hematocrit and
hemoglobin levels are manifestations of hemorrhagic shock.
A nurse is caring for a client who has ulcerative colitis. The client has
had several exacerbations over the past 3 years. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the plan of care to
minimize the risk of further exacerbations? (Select all that apply.)
A. Use progressive relaxation techniques.D. Arrange activities to allow
for daily rest periods.E. Restrict intake of carbonated beverages.