Med-Surg Exam 3 Test Bank Questions
and Answers Latest Update
The student nurse studying the gastrointestinal system understands that chyme refers
to what?
a. Hormones that reduce gastric acidity
b. Liquefied food ready for digestion
c. Nutrients after being absorbed
d. Secretions that help digest food - Answer-B. Liquefied food ready for digestion
A client scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) denies
allergies to medication. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Ask the client about shellfish allergies.
b. Document this information on the chart.
c. Ensure that the client has a ride home.
d. Instruct the client on bowel preparation. - Answer-A. Ask the client about shellfish
allergie
A client is having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and has been given
midazolam hydrochloride (Versed). The clients respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What
action by the nurse is best?
a. Administer naloxone (Narcan).
b. Call the Rapid Response Team.
c. Provide physical stimulation.
d. Ventilate with a bag-valve-mask. - Answer-C. Provide physical stimulation.
A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy and the nurse has provided instructions on the
bowel cleansing regimen. What statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
a. Its a good thing I love orange and cherry gelatin.
b. My spouse will be here to drive me home.
c. I should refrigerate the GoLYTELY before use.
d. I will buy a case of Gatorade before the prep. - Answer-A. ts a good thing I love
orange and cherry gelatin.
A client had a colonoscopy and biopsy yesterday and calls the gastrointestinal clinic to
report a spot of bright red blood on the toilet paper today. What response by the nurse
is best?
a. Ask the client to call back if this happens again today.
,b. Instruct the client to go to the emergency department.
c. Remind the client that a small amount of bleeding is possible.
d. Tell the client to come in to the clinic this afternoon. - Answer-C. Remind the client
that a small amount of bleeding is possible.
An older client has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens, since
the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What response by
the nurse is best?
a. Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.
b. Perhaps you dont need as high a dose of the drug as before.
c. Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly.
d. Your body probably cant tolerate as much medication anymore. - Answer-A. Changes
in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.
To promote comfort after a colonoscopy, in what position does the nurse place the
client?
a. Left lateral
b. Prone
c. Right lateral
d. Supine - Answer-A. Left Lateral
A nurse is examining a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique should the nurse use to assess this clients abdomen?
a. Auscultate after palpating.
b. Avoid any palpation.
c. Palpate the RUQ first.
d. Palpate the RUQ last. - Answer-D. Palpate the RUQ last.
A client presents to the emergency department reporting severe abdominal pain. On
assessment, the nurse finds a bulging, pulsating mass in the abdomen. What action by
the nurse is the priority?
a. Auscultate for bowel sounds.
b. Notify the provider immediately.
c. Order an abdominal flat-plate x-ray.
d. Palpate the mass and measure its size. - Answer-B. Notify the provider immediately.
A client presents to the family practice clinic reporting a week of watery, somewhat
bloody diarrhea. The nurse assists the client to obtain a stool sample. What action by
the nurse is most important?
a. Ask the client about recent exposure to illness.
b. Assess the clients stool for obvious food particles.
,c. Include the date and time on the specimen container.
d. Put on gloves prior to collecting the sample. - Answer-D. Put on gloves prior to
collecting the sample.
A client who has been taking antibiotics reports severe, watery diarrhea. About which
test does the nurse teach the client?
a. Colonoscopy
b. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) toxin A+B
c. Ova and parasites
d. Stool culture - Answer-b. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) toxin A+B
The nurse knows that a client with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) values (not related
to medication) probably has dysfunction in which organ?
a. Kidneys
b. Liver
c. Spleen
d. Stomach - Answer-b. Liver
A client is recovering from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and requests
something to drink. What
action by the nurse is best?
a. Allow the client cool liquids only.
b. Assess the clients gag reflex.
c. Remind the client to remain NPO.
d. Tell the client to wait 4 hours. - Answer-b. Assess the clients gag reflex.
The nurse is aware of the 2014 American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines for
colon cancer, which include which testing modalities for people over the age of 50?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Colonoscopy every 10 years
b. Colonoscopy every 5 years
c. Computed tomography (CT) colonography every 5 years
d. Double-contrast barium enema every 10 years
e. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years - Answer-A. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
C. Computed tomography (CT) colonography every 5 years
A client had an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The nurse
instructs the client and family about the signs of potential complications, which include
what problems? (Select all that apply.)
a. Cholangitis
b. Pancreatitis
, c. Perforation
d. Renal lithiasis
e. Sepsis - Answer-A. Cholangitis
b. Pancreatitis
c. Perforation
e. Sepsis
The nurse working with older clients understands age-related changes in the
gastrointestinal system. Which changes does this include? (Select all that apply.)
a. Decreased hydrochloric acid production
b. Diminished sensation that can lead to constipation
c. Fat not digested as well in older adults
d. Increased peristalsis in the large intestine
e. Pancreatic vessels become calcified - Answer-a. Decreased hydrochloric acid
production
b. Diminished sensation that can lead to constipation
c. Fat not digested as well in older adults
e. Pancreatic vessels become calcified
The nurse working in the gastrointestinal clinic sees clients who are anemic. What are
common causes for which the nurse assesses in these clients? (Select all that apply.)
a. Colon cancer
b. Diverticulitis
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Peptic ulcer disease
e. Pernicious anemia - Answer-a. Colon cancer
b. Diverticulitis
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Peptic ulcer disease
The nurse working with clients who have gastrointestinal problems knows that which
laboratory values are related to what organ dysfunctions? (Select all that apply.)
a. Alanine aminotransferase: biliary system
b. Ammonia: liver
c. Amylase: liver
d. Lipase: pancreas
e. Urine urobilinogen: stomach - Answer-b. Ammonia: liver
d. Lipase: pancreas
A client has been taught about alginic acid and sodium bicarbonate (Gaviscon). What
statement by the client indicates that teaching has been effective?
a. I can only take this medicine at night.
and Answers Latest Update
The student nurse studying the gastrointestinal system understands that chyme refers
to what?
a. Hormones that reduce gastric acidity
b. Liquefied food ready for digestion
c. Nutrients after being absorbed
d. Secretions that help digest food - Answer-B. Liquefied food ready for digestion
A client scheduled for a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) denies
allergies to medication. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Ask the client about shellfish allergies.
b. Document this information on the chart.
c. Ensure that the client has a ride home.
d. Instruct the client on bowel preparation. - Answer-A. Ask the client about shellfish
allergie
A client is having an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and has been given
midazolam hydrochloride (Versed). The clients respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What
action by the nurse is best?
a. Administer naloxone (Narcan).
b. Call the Rapid Response Team.
c. Provide physical stimulation.
d. Ventilate with a bag-valve-mask. - Answer-C. Provide physical stimulation.
A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy and the nurse has provided instructions on the
bowel cleansing regimen. What statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
a. Its a good thing I love orange and cherry gelatin.
b. My spouse will be here to drive me home.
c. I should refrigerate the GoLYTELY before use.
d. I will buy a case of Gatorade before the prep. - Answer-A. ts a good thing I love
orange and cherry gelatin.
A client had a colonoscopy and biopsy yesterday and calls the gastrointestinal clinic to
report a spot of bright red blood on the toilet paper today. What response by the nurse
is best?
a. Ask the client to call back if this happens again today.
,b. Instruct the client to go to the emergency department.
c. Remind the client that a small amount of bleeding is possible.
d. Tell the client to come in to the clinic this afternoon. - Answer-C. Remind the client
that a small amount of bleeding is possible.
An older client has had an instance of drug toxicity and asks why this happens, since
the client has been on this medication for years at the same dose. What response by
the nurse is best?
a. Changes in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.
b. Perhaps you dont need as high a dose of the drug as before.
c. Stomach muscles atrophy with age and you digest more slowly.
d. Your body probably cant tolerate as much medication anymore. - Answer-A. Changes
in your liver cause drugs to be metabolized differently.
To promote comfort after a colonoscopy, in what position does the nurse place the
client?
a. Left lateral
b. Prone
c. Right lateral
d. Supine - Answer-A. Left Lateral
A nurse is examining a client reporting right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain.
What technique should the nurse use to assess this clients abdomen?
a. Auscultate after palpating.
b. Avoid any palpation.
c. Palpate the RUQ first.
d. Palpate the RUQ last. - Answer-D. Palpate the RUQ last.
A client presents to the emergency department reporting severe abdominal pain. On
assessment, the nurse finds a bulging, pulsating mass in the abdomen. What action by
the nurse is the priority?
a. Auscultate for bowel sounds.
b. Notify the provider immediately.
c. Order an abdominal flat-plate x-ray.
d. Palpate the mass and measure its size. - Answer-B. Notify the provider immediately.
A client presents to the family practice clinic reporting a week of watery, somewhat
bloody diarrhea. The nurse assists the client to obtain a stool sample. What action by
the nurse is most important?
a. Ask the client about recent exposure to illness.
b. Assess the clients stool for obvious food particles.
,c. Include the date and time on the specimen container.
d. Put on gloves prior to collecting the sample. - Answer-D. Put on gloves prior to
collecting the sample.
A client who has been taking antibiotics reports severe, watery diarrhea. About which
test does the nurse teach the client?
a. Colonoscopy
b. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) toxin A+B
c. Ova and parasites
d. Stool culture - Answer-b. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) toxin A+B
The nurse knows that a client with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) values (not related
to medication) probably has dysfunction in which organ?
a. Kidneys
b. Liver
c. Spleen
d. Stomach - Answer-b. Liver
A client is recovering from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and requests
something to drink. What
action by the nurse is best?
a. Allow the client cool liquids only.
b. Assess the clients gag reflex.
c. Remind the client to remain NPO.
d. Tell the client to wait 4 hours. - Answer-b. Assess the clients gag reflex.
The nurse is aware of the 2014 American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines for
colon cancer, which include which testing modalities for people over the age of 50?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Colonoscopy every 10 years
b. Colonoscopy every 5 years
c. Computed tomography (CT) colonography every 5 years
d. Double-contrast barium enema every 10 years
e. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years - Answer-A. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
C. Computed tomography (CT) colonography every 5 years
A client had an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The nurse
instructs the client and family about the signs of potential complications, which include
what problems? (Select all that apply.)
a. Cholangitis
b. Pancreatitis
, c. Perforation
d. Renal lithiasis
e. Sepsis - Answer-A. Cholangitis
b. Pancreatitis
c. Perforation
e. Sepsis
The nurse working with older clients understands age-related changes in the
gastrointestinal system. Which changes does this include? (Select all that apply.)
a. Decreased hydrochloric acid production
b. Diminished sensation that can lead to constipation
c. Fat not digested as well in older adults
d. Increased peristalsis in the large intestine
e. Pancreatic vessels become calcified - Answer-a. Decreased hydrochloric acid
production
b. Diminished sensation that can lead to constipation
c. Fat not digested as well in older adults
e. Pancreatic vessels become calcified
The nurse working in the gastrointestinal clinic sees clients who are anemic. What are
common causes for which the nurse assesses in these clients? (Select all that apply.)
a. Colon cancer
b. Diverticulitis
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Peptic ulcer disease
e. Pernicious anemia - Answer-a. Colon cancer
b. Diverticulitis
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Peptic ulcer disease
The nurse working with clients who have gastrointestinal problems knows that which
laboratory values are related to what organ dysfunctions? (Select all that apply.)
a. Alanine aminotransferase: biliary system
b. Ammonia: liver
c. Amylase: liver
d. Lipase: pancreas
e. Urine urobilinogen: stomach - Answer-b. Ammonia: liver
d. Lipase: pancreas
A client has been taught about alginic acid and sodium bicarbonate (Gaviscon). What
statement by the client indicates that teaching has been effective?
a. I can only take this medicine at night.
