GI MOTILITY DISORDERS TEST BANK (1–150)
150 Questions • Answers • Rationales
1. A client with suspected gastroparesis is most likely to report which
symptom?
A. Sharp lower abdominal pain
B. Chronic heartburn
C. Early satiety
D. Diarrhea
Early satiety occurs because delayed gastric emptying causes food to
remain in the stomach longer.
2. The most definitive diagnostic test for gastroparesis is:
A. Upper endoscopy
B. CT scan
C. Gastric emptying study
D. Abdominal X-ray
A gastric emptying study measures how quickly food leaves the
stomach, confirming motility delay.
3. A client with gastroparesis is started on metoclopramide. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Diarrhea
,Metoclopramide increases dopamine blockade, which may cause
extrapyramidal side effects.
4. Which food choice is best for a patient with gastroparesis?
A. Beef stew
B. Fried chicken
C. Yogurt smoothie
D. Raw vegetables
Smooth, low-fat foods are easier to empty from the stomach.
5. A major risk factor for gastroparesis is:
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperlipidemia
Diabetes damages vagal nerves controlling gastric motility.
6. Which manifestation suggests a small bowel obstruction?
A. Hematemesis
B. High-pitched bowel sounds
C. Massive diarrhea
D. Right-lower quadrant rebound pain
Hyperactive, high-pitched sounds occur early in obstruction due to
increased peristaltic efforts.
,7. The priority intervention for a client with suspected bowel
obstruction is:
A. Give antidiarrheals
B. Insert NG tube for decompression
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Administer enemas
NG decompression relieves pressure, prevents vomiting and
aspiration.
8. A classic sign of colonic obstruction is:
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Severe dehydration
C. Hyperactive bowel loops
D. Progressive abdominal distention
Distention occurs as gas and stool accumulate in the large intestine.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in prolonged vomiting
from obstruction?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Vomiting causes loss of potassium-rich gastric secretions.
10. The nurse suspects paralytic ileus when the patient has:
A. High-pitched rushes
B. Loose stools
, C. Cramping pain
D. Absent bowel sounds
Ileus causes cessation of peristalsis, producing silent abdomen.
11. Which postoperative condition increases the risk for paralytic
ileus?
A. Early ambulation
B. Use of opioids
C. Low-dose anticoagulants
D. Antacids
Opioids decrease GI motility significantly.
12. For a patient with acute paralytic ileus, the nurse expects which
order?
A. Start a high-fiber diet
B. NPO status
C. Laxatives as needed
D. Increase oral fluids
Bowel rest prevents worsening distention and vomiting.
13. Which finding indicates improvement in paralytic ileus?
A. Absent flatus
B. Return of bowel sounds
C. Increased abdominal girth
D. Projectile vomiting
Return of peristalsis is marked by audible bowel sounds.
150 Questions • Answers • Rationales
1. A client with suspected gastroparesis is most likely to report which
symptom?
A. Sharp lower abdominal pain
B. Chronic heartburn
C. Early satiety
D. Diarrhea
Early satiety occurs because delayed gastric emptying causes food to
remain in the stomach longer.
2. The most definitive diagnostic test for gastroparesis is:
A. Upper endoscopy
B. CT scan
C. Gastric emptying study
D. Abdominal X-ray
A gastric emptying study measures how quickly food leaves the
stomach, confirming motility delay.
3. A client with gastroparesis is started on metoclopramide. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Diarrhea
,Metoclopramide increases dopamine blockade, which may cause
extrapyramidal side effects.
4. Which food choice is best for a patient with gastroparesis?
A. Beef stew
B. Fried chicken
C. Yogurt smoothie
D. Raw vegetables
Smooth, low-fat foods are easier to empty from the stomach.
5. A major risk factor for gastroparesis is:
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperlipidemia
Diabetes damages vagal nerves controlling gastric motility.
6. Which manifestation suggests a small bowel obstruction?
A. Hematemesis
B. High-pitched bowel sounds
C. Massive diarrhea
D. Right-lower quadrant rebound pain
Hyperactive, high-pitched sounds occur early in obstruction due to
increased peristaltic efforts.
,7. The priority intervention for a client with suspected bowel
obstruction is:
A. Give antidiarrheals
B. Insert NG tube for decompression
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Administer enemas
NG decompression relieves pressure, prevents vomiting and
aspiration.
8. A classic sign of colonic obstruction is:
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Severe dehydration
C. Hyperactive bowel loops
D. Progressive abdominal distention
Distention occurs as gas and stool accumulate in the large intestine.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in prolonged vomiting
from obstruction?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Vomiting causes loss of potassium-rich gastric secretions.
10. The nurse suspects paralytic ileus when the patient has:
A. High-pitched rushes
B. Loose stools
, C. Cramping pain
D. Absent bowel sounds
Ileus causes cessation of peristalsis, producing silent abdomen.
11. Which postoperative condition increases the risk for paralytic
ileus?
A. Early ambulation
B. Use of opioids
C. Low-dose anticoagulants
D. Antacids
Opioids decrease GI motility significantly.
12. For a patient with acute paralytic ileus, the nurse expects which
order?
A. Start a high-fiber diet
B. NPO status
C. Laxatives as needed
D. Increase oral fluids
Bowel rest prevents worsening distention and vomiting.
13. Which finding indicates improvement in paralytic ileus?
A. Absent flatus
B. Return of bowel sounds
C. Increased abdominal girth
D. Projectile vomiting
Return of peristalsis is marked by audible bowel sounds.
