Saunders - GI Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination 7th
Content Area -> Adult Health -> Gastrointestinal -> 171 Questions
Text -> 26 Questions - Correct answer-
1) The nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of
appendicitis who is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain
of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment, the nurse notes
that the abdomen is distended and bowel sounds are diminished. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
a. Notify the health care provider (HCP).
b. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
c. Call and ask the operating room team to perform surgery as soon as possible.
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,d. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on the warm setting to the client's
abdomen.
Source: Saunders - Adult GI - Correct answer-ANS: A
Rationale:
On the basis of the signs and symptoms presented in the question, the nurse should
suspect peritonitis and notify the HCP. Administering pain medication is not an
appropriate intervention. Heat should never be applied to the abdomen of a client
with suspected appendicitis because of the risk of rupture. Scheduling surgical time
is not within the scope of nursing practice, although the HCP probably would
perform the surgery earlier than the prescheduled time.
Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Adult Health: Gastrointestinal
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,Strategy(ies): Abnormality Exists, Strategic Words
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Inflammation
Test-Taking Strategy:
Note the strategic words, most appropriate. determine if an abnormality exists,
focus on the signs and symptoms in the question, and consider the complications
that can occur with appendicitis. Noting that the signs presented in the question
indicate a complication will assist in directing you to the correct option.
Review:
Care of the client with appendicitis
Color Key:
Cyan = Strategy
Magenta = Content Review
Reference(s):
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Ignatavicius, Workman (2016), pp. 1168-1169.
2) A client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis
is being assessed by the nurse. Which assessment findings would be consistent
with acute pancreatitis? Select all that apply.
a. Diarrhea
b. Black, tarry stools
c. Hyperactive bowel sounds
d. Gray-blue color at the flank
e. Abdominal guarding and tenderness
f. Left upper quadrant pain with radiation to the back
Source: Saunders - Adult GI - Correct answer-ANS: D E F
Rationale:
Grayish-blue discoloration at the flank is known as Grey-Turner's sign and occurs
as a result of pancreatic enzyme leakage to cutaneous tissue from the peritoneal
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Answers
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination 7th
Content Area -> Adult Health -> Gastrointestinal -> 171 Questions
Text -> 26 Questions - Correct answer-
1) The nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of
appendicitis who is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain
of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment, the nurse notes
that the abdomen is distended and bowel sounds are diminished. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
a. Notify the health care provider (HCP).
b. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
c. Call and ask the operating room team to perform surgery as soon as possible.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,d. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on the warm setting to the client's
abdomen.
Source: Saunders - Adult GI - Correct answer-ANS: A
Rationale:
On the basis of the signs and symptoms presented in the question, the nurse should
suspect peritonitis and notify the HCP. Administering pain medication is not an
appropriate intervention. Heat should never be applied to the abdomen of a client
with suspected appendicitis because of the risk of rupture. Scheduling surgical time
is not within the scope of nursing practice, although the HCP probably would
perform the surgery earlier than the prescheduled time.
Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Adult Health: Gastrointestinal
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Strategy(ies): Abnormality Exists, Strategic Words
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Inflammation
Test-Taking Strategy:
Note the strategic words, most appropriate. determine if an abnormality exists,
focus on the signs and symptoms in the question, and consider the complications
that can occur with appendicitis. Noting that the signs presented in the question
indicate a complication will assist in directing you to the correct option.
Review:
Care of the client with appendicitis
Color Key:
Cyan = Strategy
Magenta = Content Review
Reference(s):
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Ignatavicius, Workman (2016), pp. 1168-1169.
2) A client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis
is being assessed by the nurse. Which assessment findings would be consistent
with acute pancreatitis? Select all that apply.
a. Diarrhea
b. Black, tarry stools
c. Hyperactive bowel sounds
d. Gray-blue color at the flank
e. Abdominal guarding and tenderness
f. Left upper quadrant pain with radiation to the back
Source: Saunders - Adult GI - Correct answer-ANS: D E F
Rationale:
Grayish-blue discoloration at the flank is known as Grey-Turner's sign and occurs
as a result of pancreatic enzyme leakage to cutaneous tissue from the peritoneal
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
