GI EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS AND 100%
RATED CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A nurse is teaching an elderly client about good bowel habits. Which statement by
the client indicates to the nurse that additional teaching is required?
a) "I need to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluids every day."
b) "I should exercise four times per week."
c) "I need to use laxatives regularly to prevent constipation."
d) "I should eat a fiber-rich diet with raw, leafy vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and
whole grain bread." - correct answerC) "I need to use laxatives regularly to
prevent constipation." The client requires more teaching if he states that he'll use
laxatives regularly to prevent constipation. The nurse should teach this client to
gradually eliminate the use of laxatives because using laxatives to promote
regular bowel movements may have the opposite effect. A high-fiber diet, ample
amounts of fluids, and regular exercise promote good bowel health.
A client is scheduled for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to detect lesions
in the gastrointestinal tract. The nurse would observe for which of the following
while assessing the client during the procedure?
a) Signs of perforation
b) Gag reflex
c) Client's tolerance for pain and discomfort
d) Client's ability to retain the barium - correct answerC) Client's tolerance for
pain and discomfort The nurse has to assess the client's tolerance for pain and
discomfort during the procedure. The nurse should assess the signs of perforation
and the gag reflex after the procedure of EGD and not during the procedure.
,Assessing the client's level for retaining barium is important for a diagnostic test
that involves the use of barium. EGD does not involve the use of barium.
The nurse is preparing to measure the client's abdominal girth as part of the
physical examination. At which location would the nurse most likely measure?
a) At the lower border of the liver
b) In the right upper quadrant
c) At the umbilicus
d) Just below the last rib - correct answerC) At the umbilicus Measurement of
abdominal girth is done at the widest point, which is usually the umbilicus. The
right upper quadrant, lower border of the liver, or just below the last rib would be
inappropriate sites for abdominal girth measurement.
A client is diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
The physician begins the client on cyanocobalamin (Betalin-12), 100 mcg I.M.
daily. Which substance influences vitamin B12 absorption?
a) Hydrochloric acid
b) Histamine
c) Liver enzyme
d) Intrinsic factor - correct answerD) Intrinsic factor Vitamin B12 absorption
depends on intrinsic factor, which is secreted by parietal cells in the stomach. The
vitamin binds with intrinsic factor and is absorbed in the ileum. Hydrochloric acid,
histamine, and liver enzymes don't influence vitamin B12 absorption.
After teaching a group of students about the various organs of the upper
gastrointestinal tract and possible disorders, the instructor determines that the
,teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following
structures as possibly being affected?
a) Large intestine
b) Ileum
c) Stomach
d) Liver - correct answerC) Stomach The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins at
the mouth and ends at the jejunum. Therefore, the stomach would be a
component of the upper GI tract. The lower GI tract begins at the ileum and ends
at the anus. The liver is considered an accessory structure.
A nurse is providing care for a client recovering from gastric bypass surgery.
During assessment, the client exhibits pallor, perspiration, palpitations, headache,
and feelings of warmth, dizziness, and drowsiness. The client reports eating 90
minutes ago. The nurse suspects:
a) Peritonitis
b) A normal reaction to surgery
c) Dehiscence of the surgical wound
d) Vasomotor symptoms associated with dumping syndrome - correct answerD)
Vasomotor symptoms associated with dumping syndromeEarly manifestations of
dumping syndrome occur 15 to 30 minutes after eating. Signs and symptoms
include vertigo, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, diarrhea,
nausea, and the desire to lie down. Dehiscence of the surgical wound is
characterized by pain and a pulling or popping feeling at the surgical site.
Peritonitis presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen, tenderness, and fever. The
client's signs and symptoms aren't a normal reaction to surgery.
, A nurse is caring for a client with active upper GI bleeding. What is the
appropriate diet for this client during the first 24 hours after admission?a) Skim
milkb) Nothing by mouthc) Regular dietd) Clear liquids
B) NPO Shock and bleeding must be controlled before oral intake, so the client
should receive nothing by mouth. When the bleeding is controlled, the diet is
gradually increased, starting with ice chips and then clear liquids. Skim milk
shouldn't be given because it increases gastric acid production, which could
prolong bleeding. A clear liquid diet is the first diet offered after bleeding and
shock are controlled.
Which of the following terms is used to refer to intestinal rumbling?
a) Diverticulitis
b) Tenesmus
c) Borborygmus
d) Azotorrhea - correct answerC) BorborygmusBorborygmus is the intestinal
rumbling that accompanies diarrhea. Tenesmus is the term used to refer to
ineffectual straining at stool. Azotorrhea is the term used to refer to excess of
nitrogenous matter in the feces or urine. Diverticulitis refers to inflammation of a
diverticulum from obstruction (by fecal matter) resulting in abscess formation.
To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should
provide which discharge instruction?
a) "Lie down after meals to promote digestion."
b) "Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages."
c) "Limit fluid intake with meals."
RATED CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
A nurse is teaching an elderly client about good bowel habits. Which statement by
the client indicates to the nurse that additional teaching is required?
a) "I need to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluids every day."
b) "I should exercise four times per week."
c) "I need to use laxatives regularly to prevent constipation."
d) "I should eat a fiber-rich diet with raw, leafy vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and
whole grain bread." - correct answerC) "I need to use laxatives regularly to
prevent constipation." The client requires more teaching if he states that he'll use
laxatives regularly to prevent constipation. The nurse should teach this client to
gradually eliminate the use of laxatives because using laxatives to promote
regular bowel movements may have the opposite effect. A high-fiber diet, ample
amounts of fluids, and regular exercise promote good bowel health.
A client is scheduled for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to detect lesions
in the gastrointestinal tract. The nurse would observe for which of the following
while assessing the client during the procedure?
a) Signs of perforation
b) Gag reflex
c) Client's tolerance for pain and discomfort
d) Client's ability to retain the barium - correct answerC) Client's tolerance for
pain and discomfort The nurse has to assess the client's tolerance for pain and
discomfort during the procedure. The nurse should assess the signs of perforation
and the gag reflex after the procedure of EGD and not during the procedure.
,Assessing the client's level for retaining barium is important for a diagnostic test
that involves the use of barium. EGD does not involve the use of barium.
The nurse is preparing to measure the client's abdominal girth as part of the
physical examination. At which location would the nurse most likely measure?
a) At the lower border of the liver
b) In the right upper quadrant
c) At the umbilicus
d) Just below the last rib - correct answerC) At the umbilicus Measurement of
abdominal girth is done at the widest point, which is usually the umbilicus. The
right upper quadrant, lower border of the liver, or just below the last rib would be
inappropriate sites for abdominal girth measurement.
A client is diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
The physician begins the client on cyanocobalamin (Betalin-12), 100 mcg I.M.
daily. Which substance influences vitamin B12 absorption?
a) Hydrochloric acid
b) Histamine
c) Liver enzyme
d) Intrinsic factor - correct answerD) Intrinsic factor Vitamin B12 absorption
depends on intrinsic factor, which is secreted by parietal cells in the stomach. The
vitamin binds with intrinsic factor and is absorbed in the ileum. Hydrochloric acid,
histamine, and liver enzymes don't influence vitamin B12 absorption.
After teaching a group of students about the various organs of the upper
gastrointestinal tract and possible disorders, the instructor determines that the
,teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following
structures as possibly being affected?
a) Large intestine
b) Ileum
c) Stomach
d) Liver - correct answerC) Stomach The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins at
the mouth and ends at the jejunum. Therefore, the stomach would be a
component of the upper GI tract. The lower GI tract begins at the ileum and ends
at the anus. The liver is considered an accessory structure.
A nurse is providing care for a client recovering from gastric bypass surgery.
During assessment, the client exhibits pallor, perspiration, palpitations, headache,
and feelings of warmth, dizziness, and drowsiness. The client reports eating 90
minutes ago. The nurse suspects:
a) Peritonitis
b) A normal reaction to surgery
c) Dehiscence of the surgical wound
d) Vasomotor symptoms associated with dumping syndrome - correct answerD)
Vasomotor symptoms associated with dumping syndromeEarly manifestations of
dumping syndrome occur 15 to 30 minutes after eating. Signs and symptoms
include vertigo, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, diarrhea,
nausea, and the desire to lie down. Dehiscence of the surgical wound is
characterized by pain and a pulling or popping feeling at the surgical site.
Peritonitis presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen, tenderness, and fever. The
client's signs and symptoms aren't a normal reaction to surgery.
, A nurse is caring for a client with active upper GI bleeding. What is the
appropriate diet for this client during the first 24 hours after admission?a) Skim
milkb) Nothing by mouthc) Regular dietd) Clear liquids
B) NPO Shock and bleeding must be controlled before oral intake, so the client
should receive nothing by mouth. When the bleeding is controlled, the diet is
gradually increased, starting with ice chips and then clear liquids. Skim milk
shouldn't be given because it increases gastric acid production, which could
prolong bleeding. A clear liquid diet is the first diet offered after bleeding and
shock are controlled.
Which of the following terms is used to refer to intestinal rumbling?
a) Diverticulitis
b) Tenesmus
c) Borborygmus
d) Azotorrhea - correct answerC) BorborygmusBorborygmus is the intestinal
rumbling that accompanies diarrhea. Tenesmus is the term used to refer to
ineffectual straining at stool. Azotorrhea is the term used to refer to excess of
nitrogenous matter in the feces or urine. Diverticulitis refers to inflammation of a
diverticulum from obstruction (by fecal matter) resulting in abscess formation.
To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should
provide which discharge instruction?
a) "Lie down after meals to promote digestion."
b) "Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages."
c) "Limit fluid intake with meals."
