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NURS 3511 Week 10 GI Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
1. A nurse is educating a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus about the function of the
pancreas. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "My pancreas helps digest food by releasing enzymes."
B) "My pancreas only has an endocrine function to control blood sugar."
C) "The pancreas plays a role in both digestion and blood sugar regulation."
D) "Insulin is one of the hormones produced by my pancreas."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) "My pancreas only has an endocrine function to control blood sugar."**
2. A patient with chronic pancreatitis is experiencing malabsorption and uncontrolled blood glucose
levels. The nurse understands that these symptoms are due to which dual function of the pancreas?
A) The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin (endocrine)
B) The pancreas only produces digestive enzymes to break down fats and proteins
C) The pancreas solely regulates blood sugar through hormone secretion
D) The pancreas detoxifies harmful substances in the body
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin
(endocrine)**
Here are 15 NCLEX-style questions with semicolons placed only after the answers:
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which pathophysiological process best
explains the severe pain associated with this condition?
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A) Obstruction of the bile duct leading to increased bile secretion
B) Spillage of pancreatic enzymes causing autodigestion of pancreatic tissue
C) Increased peristalsis due to enzyme activation in the intestines
D) Excess mucus production leading to pancreatic duct obstruction
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Spillage of pancreatic enzymes causing autodigestion of pancreatic tissue**
2. A patient presents with acute pancreatitis. The nurse recognizes that the most common cause of
this condition is which of the following?
A) Viral infections
B) Alcohol use disorder
C) Trauma
D) Gallbladder disease (gallstones)
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : D) Gallbladder disease (gallstones)**
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a history of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should avoid all alcoholic beverages."
B) "Alcohol increases thick secretions that block my pancreatic ducts."
C) "Drinking alcohol will not trigger another pancreatitis episode if I eat a balanced diet."
D) "Pancreatitis can cause long-term damage to my pancreas."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : C) "Drinking alcohol will not trigger another pancreatitis episode if I eat a
balanced diet."**
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis. Which clinical manifestation is
the priority concern?
A) Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
B) Nausea and vomiting
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C) Fever
D) Respiratory distress with decreased oxygen saturation
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : D) Respiratory distress with decreased oxygen saturation**
5. A patient with acute pancreatitis is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A) Administer antiemetic medications as prescribed
B) Encourage oral fluid intake
C) Place the patient in a supine position
D) Offer small, frequent meals
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) Administer antiemetic medications as prescribed**
6. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which finding is most
indicative of the condition?
A) Decreased amylase and lipase levels
B) Increased amylase and lipase levels
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Increased hemoglobin levels
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Increased amylase and lipase levels**
7. A patient with acute pancreatitis asks why they are receiving IV fluids. What is the best response
by the nurse?
A) "Fluids help to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure."
B) "Fluids help break down the pancreatic enzymes."
C) "Fluids are needed to improve digestion and relieve pain."
D) "Fluids prevent the pancreas from releasing enzymes."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) "Fluids help to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure."**
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8. Which dietary recommendation is appropriate for a patient recovering from acute pancreatitis?
A) High-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
B) Clear liquids followed by a low-fat diet
C) Increased protein and fat intake
D) No dietary restrictions are needed
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Clear liquids followed by a low-fat diet**
9. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising)
B) Mild epigastric tenderness
C) Elevated lipase levels
D) Nausea and vomiting
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising)**
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with cystic fibrosis who also has chronic pancreatitis. What should
the nurse include in the patient's education?
A) "You will need to avoid taking pancreatic enzyme supplements."
B) "Pancreatic enzymes should be taken before or with meals."
C) "Your pancreas does not play a role in digestion."
D) "Cystic fibrosis does not affect pancreatic function."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) "Pancreatic enzymes should be taken before or with meals."**
11. A patient with acute pancreatitis is experiencing severe pain. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation to relieve discomfort
B) Place the patient in a side-lying position with the head elevated
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
NURS 3511 Week 10 GI Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
1. A nurse is educating a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus about the function of the
pancreas. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "My pancreas helps digest food by releasing enzymes."
B) "My pancreas only has an endocrine function to control blood sugar."
C) "The pancreas plays a role in both digestion and blood sugar regulation."
D) "Insulin is one of the hormones produced by my pancreas."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) "My pancreas only has an endocrine function to control blood sugar."**
2. A patient with chronic pancreatitis is experiencing malabsorption and uncontrolled blood glucose
levels. The nurse understands that these symptoms are due to which dual function of the pancreas?
A) The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin (endocrine)
B) The pancreas only produces digestive enzymes to break down fats and proteins
C) The pancreas solely regulates blood sugar through hormone secretion
D) The pancreas detoxifies harmful substances in the body
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) The pancreas produces digestive enzymes (exocrine) and hormones like insulin
(endocrine)**
Here are 15 NCLEX-style questions with semicolons placed only after the answers:
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which pathophysiological process best
explains the severe pain associated with this condition?
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,Click here for more: Scholars nexus
A) Obstruction of the bile duct leading to increased bile secretion
B) Spillage of pancreatic enzymes causing autodigestion of pancreatic tissue
C) Increased peristalsis due to enzyme activation in the intestines
D) Excess mucus production leading to pancreatic duct obstruction
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Spillage of pancreatic enzymes causing autodigestion of pancreatic tissue**
2. A patient presents with acute pancreatitis. The nurse recognizes that the most common cause of
this condition is which of the following?
A) Viral infections
B) Alcohol use disorder
C) Trauma
D) Gallbladder disease (gallstones)
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : D) Gallbladder disease (gallstones)**
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a history of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should avoid all alcoholic beverages."
B) "Alcohol increases thick secretions that block my pancreatic ducts."
C) "Drinking alcohol will not trigger another pancreatitis episode if I eat a balanced diet."
D) "Pancreatitis can cause long-term damage to my pancreas."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : C) "Drinking alcohol will not trigger another pancreatitis episode if I eat a
balanced diet."**
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis. Which clinical manifestation is
the priority concern?
A) Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
B) Nausea and vomiting
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,Click here for more: Scholars nexus
C) Fever
D) Respiratory distress with decreased oxygen saturation
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : D) Respiratory distress with decreased oxygen saturation**
5. A patient with acute pancreatitis is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A) Administer antiemetic medications as prescribed
B) Encourage oral fluid intake
C) Place the patient in a supine position
D) Offer small, frequent meals
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) Administer antiemetic medications as prescribed**
6. A nurse is reviewing lab results for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which finding is most
indicative of the condition?
A) Decreased amylase and lipase levels
B) Increased amylase and lipase levels
C) Decreased white blood cell count
D) Increased hemoglobin levels
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Increased amylase and lipase levels**
7. A patient with acute pancreatitis asks why they are receiving IV fluids. What is the best response
by the nurse?
A) "Fluids help to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure."
B) "Fluids help break down the pancreatic enzymes."
C) "Fluids are needed to improve digestion and relieve pain."
D) "Fluids prevent the pancreas from releasing enzymes."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) "Fluids help to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure."**
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, Click here for more: Scholars nexus
8. Which dietary recommendation is appropriate for a patient recovering from acute pancreatitis?
A) High-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
B) Clear liquids followed by a low-fat diet
C) Increased protein and fat intake
D) No dietary restrictions are needed
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) Clear liquids followed by a low-fat diet**
9. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising)
B) Mild epigastric tenderness
C) Elevated lipase levels
D) Nausea and vomiting
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : A) Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising)**
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with cystic fibrosis who also has chronic pancreatitis. What should
the nurse include in the patient's education?
A) "You will need to avoid taking pancreatic enzyme supplements."
B) "Pancreatic enzymes should be taken before or with meals."
C) "Your pancreas does not play a role in digestion."
D) "Cystic fibrosis does not affect pancreatic function."
** Ans: ✓ ✓ ✓ : B) "Pancreatic enzymes should be taken before or with meals."**
11. A patient with acute pancreatitis is experiencing severe pain. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation to relieve discomfort
B) Place the patient in a side-lying position with the head elevated
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
