ATI PHARMACOLOGY
GASTROINTESTINAL
SYSTEM TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS(VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about ranitidine (H2 receptor antagonist) for GERD.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should take this medication at bedtime only.”
B. “I can take this with or without food.” ✅
C. “This medication will cure my GERD permanently.”
D. “I should avoid all fluids when taking this.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Ranitidine can be taken with or without food. It decreases gastric acid but
does not cure GERD permanently.
2. A patient is prescribed omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) for peptic ulcer
disease. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with a high-fat meal.”
B. “Take this medication 30–60 minutes before meals.” ✅
C. “Stop the medication once symptoms improve.”
D. “Crush the capsule to enhance absorption.”
Answer: B
,Rationale: PPIs should be taken 30–60 minutes before meals to maximize efficacy.
3. A patient taking sucralfate (mucosal protectant) should be advised to:
A. Take it with antacids.
B. Take it on an empty stomach. ✅
C. Take it at bedtime only.
D. Avoid fluids for 2 hours after taking.
Answer: B
Rationale: Sucralfate works best on an empty stomach to coat the ulcer site.
4. Which medication is most appropriate to treat C. difficile–associated diarrhea?
A. Loperamide
B. Metronidazole ✅
C. Diphenoxylate-atropine
D. Bismuth subsalicylate
Answer: B
Rationale: Metronidazole is first-line therapy for mild to moderate C. difficile
infections.
5. A patient is prescribed ondansetron for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Which is a
priority nursing consideration?
A. Monitor for constipation.
B. Monitor for headache and prolonged QT interval. ✅
C. Avoid giving with food.
D. Encourage increased fiber intake.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ondansetron can cause headache and prolong QT interval; cardiac
monitoring may be necessary.
, 6. A nurse is teaching about laxatives. Which patient statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I can take a stimulant laxative daily for chronic constipation.”
B. “I should drink plenty of water with bulk-forming laxatives.” ✅
C. “I will take all types of laxatives at bedtime.”
D. “Stool softeners are habit-forming.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Bulk-forming laxatives need adequate water to prevent obstruction.
Stimulant laxatives are not for long-term daily use.
7. A patient is prescribed magnesium hydroxide (antacid) for heartburn. The nurse
should monitor:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia ✅
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Magnesium-containing antacids can cause hypermagnesemia, especially
in patients with renal impairment.
8. A patient taking diphenoxylate-atropine for diarrhea asks about side effects. The
nurse should include:
A. Constipation and drowsiness ✅
B. Increased urination
C. Hyperactivity
D. Rash and hives
Answer: A
Rationale: Diphenoxylate slows GI motility and can cause constipation and CNS
depression.
GASTROINTESTINAL
SYSTEM TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS(VERIFIED
ANSWERS)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about ranitidine (H2 receptor antagonist) for GERD.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I should take this medication at bedtime only.”
B. “I can take this with or without food.” ✅
C. “This medication will cure my GERD permanently.”
D. “I should avoid all fluids when taking this.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Ranitidine can be taken with or without food. It decreases gastric acid but
does not cure GERD permanently.
2. A patient is prescribed omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) for peptic ulcer
disease. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with a high-fat meal.”
B. “Take this medication 30–60 minutes before meals.” ✅
C. “Stop the medication once symptoms improve.”
D. “Crush the capsule to enhance absorption.”
Answer: B
,Rationale: PPIs should be taken 30–60 minutes before meals to maximize efficacy.
3. A patient taking sucralfate (mucosal protectant) should be advised to:
A. Take it with antacids.
B. Take it on an empty stomach. ✅
C. Take it at bedtime only.
D. Avoid fluids for 2 hours after taking.
Answer: B
Rationale: Sucralfate works best on an empty stomach to coat the ulcer site.
4. Which medication is most appropriate to treat C. difficile–associated diarrhea?
A. Loperamide
B. Metronidazole ✅
C. Diphenoxylate-atropine
D. Bismuth subsalicylate
Answer: B
Rationale: Metronidazole is first-line therapy for mild to moderate C. difficile
infections.
5. A patient is prescribed ondansetron for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Which is a
priority nursing consideration?
A. Monitor for constipation.
B. Monitor for headache and prolonged QT interval. ✅
C. Avoid giving with food.
D. Encourage increased fiber intake.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ondansetron can cause headache and prolong QT interval; cardiac
monitoring may be necessary.
, 6. A nurse is teaching about laxatives. Which patient statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I can take a stimulant laxative daily for chronic constipation.”
B. “I should drink plenty of water with bulk-forming laxatives.” ✅
C. “I will take all types of laxatives at bedtime.”
D. “Stool softeners are habit-forming.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Bulk-forming laxatives need adequate water to prevent obstruction.
Stimulant laxatives are not for long-term daily use.
7. A patient is prescribed magnesium hydroxide (antacid) for heartburn. The nurse
should monitor:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia ✅
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Magnesium-containing antacids can cause hypermagnesemia, especially
in patients with renal impairment.
8. A patient taking diphenoxylate-atropine for diarrhea asks about side effects. The
nurse should include:
A. Constipation and drowsiness ✅
B. Increased urination
C. Hyperactivity
D. Rash and hives
Answer: A
Rationale: Diphenoxylate slows GI motility and can cause constipation and CNS
depression.
