GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The health care provider schedules a patient for a colonoscopy. In preparing him for this procedure, you
explain that:
a. he will be sedated to minimize discomfort
b. the procedure takes only about six minutes
c. he may have a liquid breakfast before the procedure
d. he can go back to work as soon as the procedure is over - (ANSWER)a. he will be sedated to minimize
discomfort
The nurse is caring for several patients with gastrointestinal problems. Which patient is most likely to
need a guaiac (hemooccult) test?
a. patient reports dark amber-colored urine
b. patient reports black discoloration of stool
c. Patient vomits small amounts of yellow emesis
d. patient complains of right upper quadrant pain - (ANSWER)b. patient reports black discoloration of
stool
Which healthy lifestyle choice can decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer?
a. Eat a well-balanced diet
b. Obtain 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week
c. Refrain from drinking any alcohol
d. refrain from smoking cigarettes - (ANSWER)d. refrain from smoking cigarettes
When patients undergo diagnostic tests of the gastrointestinal system, elderly patients in particular
must be closely watched for:
a. dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
b. nausea and vomiting
c. diarrhea
d. constipation from contrast media - (ANSWER)a. dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
, GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Hyperactive bowel sounds in one quadrant and absent bowel sounds in other quadrants plus nausea
and vomiting may indicate:
a. pancreatitis
b. cholecystitis
c. gastrointestinal bleeding
d. intestinal obstruction - (ANSWER)d. intestinal obstruction
Your patient is to have a liver biopsy. What teaching points should be included in the instructions (SATA)
a. Nothing is allowed by mouth for 4-8 hours prior to the procedure
b. local or general anesthesia will be used
c. patient will be positioned on the right side for the procedure
d. The procedure takes about an hour
e. It will be necessary to lie on the right side for 1-2 hours postprocedure
d. Heavy lifting or strenuous activities are to be avoided for 1-2 weeks - (ANSWER)Nothing is allowed by
mouth for 4-8 hours prior to procedure
Local or general anesthesia will be used
It will be necessary to lie on the right side for 1-2 hours post procedure.
Heavy lifting or strenuous activities are to be avoided for 1-2 weeks
The nurse hears in report that a patient is suspected of having ascites. WHich action is the nurse most
likely to initiate for this specific condition?
a. Elevate the head of the bed 30-45 degrees
b. Assess for pain every 30-60 minutes
c. Perform serial measurements of abdominal girth
d. Slightly elevate legs and buttocks to help expel flatus - (ANSWER)c. Perform serial measurements of
abdominal girth
The patient is supposed to be NPO for 12 hours prior to diagnostic testing. The nursing assistant reports
that the patient just drank a soda and ate a sandwich. What should the nurse do first?
The health care provider schedules a patient for a colonoscopy. In preparing him for this procedure, you
explain that:
a. he will be sedated to minimize discomfort
b. the procedure takes only about six minutes
c. he may have a liquid breakfast before the procedure
d. he can go back to work as soon as the procedure is over - (ANSWER)a. he will be sedated to minimize
discomfort
The nurse is caring for several patients with gastrointestinal problems. Which patient is most likely to
need a guaiac (hemooccult) test?
a. patient reports dark amber-colored urine
b. patient reports black discoloration of stool
c. Patient vomits small amounts of yellow emesis
d. patient complains of right upper quadrant pain - (ANSWER)b. patient reports black discoloration of
stool
Which healthy lifestyle choice can decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer?
a. Eat a well-balanced diet
b. Obtain 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week
c. Refrain from drinking any alcohol
d. refrain from smoking cigarettes - (ANSWER)d. refrain from smoking cigarettes
When patients undergo diagnostic tests of the gastrointestinal system, elderly patients in particular
must be closely watched for:
a. dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
b. nausea and vomiting
c. diarrhea
d. constipation from contrast media - (ANSWER)a. dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
, GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Hyperactive bowel sounds in one quadrant and absent bowel sounds in other quadrants plus nausea
and vomiting may indicate:
a. pancreatitis
b. cholecystitis
c. gastrointestinal bleeding
d. intestinal obstruction - (ANSWER)d. intestinal obstruction
Your patient is to have a liver biopsy. What teaching points should be included in the instructions (SATA)
a. Nothing is allowed by mouth for 4-8 hours prior to the procedure
b. local or general anesthesia will be used
c. patient will be positioned on the right side for the procedure
d. The procedure takes about an hour
e. It will be necessary to lie on the right side for 1-2 hours postprocedure
d. Heavy lifting or strenuous activities are to be avoided for 1-2 weeks - (ANSWER)Nothing is allowed by
mouth for 4-8 hours prior to procedure
Local or general anesthesia will be used
It will be necessary to lie on the right side for 1-2 hours post procedure.
Heavy lifting or strenuous activities are to be avoided for 1-2 weeks
The nurse hears in report that a patient is suspected of having ascites. WHich action is the nurse most
likely to initiate for this specific condition?
a. Elevate the head of the bed 30-45 degrees
b. Assess for pain every 30-60 minutes
c. Perform serial measurements of abdominal girth
d. Slightly elevate legs and buttocks to help expel flatus - (ANSWER)c. Perform serial measurements of
abdominal girth
The patient is supposed to be NPO for 12 hours prior to diagnostic testing. The nursing assistant reports
that the patient just drank a soda and ate a sandwich. What should the nurse do first?
