ATI GERD Exam (2025) || Questions &
Solutions (100% Correct)
Rationale: Surgery may be necessary for patients who do not respond to pharmacologic
and lifestyle interventions. Laparoscopic fundoplication is the treatment of choice for
GERD. Proton pump inhibitors would not be prescribed since medication has not been
effective. Gastric bypass surgery is for weight loss, not GERD. The patient has already
used lifestyle modifications for treatment without success. Therefore, stress
management techniques would not be the best treatment option.
Surgical treatments of GERD are used when medications and lifestyle changes are
unsuccessful and include: - ANSWER - • Laparoscopic or Nissen fundoplication
• Surgery to tighten the tighten the lower esophageal sphincter
• Ablation therapy.
Nissen fundoplication. - ANSWER - The fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the
lower esophagus and the edges are sutured together.
A patient is diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Which patient behavior should the nurse identify that would make the GERD symptoms
worse?
Use of mint to alleviate heartburn
Use of proton-pump inhibitors
Limited health insurance plan
Elevating the head of the bed at night - ANSWER - Use of mint to alleviate heartburn
The nurse is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD).
Which pathophysiological change should the nurse identify as the cause of this
disease?
Weakened lower esophageal sphincter pressure
Thickening of the muscle between the stomach and intestines
Decreased gastric acid secretion
Herniation of the stomach through the diaphragm - ANSWER - Weakened lower
esophageal sphincter pressure
The nurse suspects that an infant is experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD).
Which symptom did the infant's mother most likely share with the nurse?
Watery stools
Arching back
, Swollen extremities
Frequent drooling - ANSWER - Arching back
Rationale: The clinical manifestations of GERD for the pediatric population are different
from clinical manifestations of GERD in the adult population. An infant or child may
exhibit poor eating, arching of the back, recurrent vomiting, irritability, and respiratory
symptoms. Watery stools, edema in the extremities, and frequent drooling do not
support the diagnosis of GERD.
A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports heartburn and reflux
after eating.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
Adding coffee with each meal
Encouraging to select foods that are high in fat
Administering antacids prior to eating meals
Consuming smaller meals with in between meal snacks - ANSWER - Consuming
smaller meals with in between meal snacks
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the patient with GERD who reports heartburn and
reflux after meals is to consume smaller meals with in between meal snacks. This
decreases gastric distention and reflux. Antacids decrease acid production after the
problem of reflux is occurring. It does not prevent the problem. The nurse would
encourage meals that restrict fat intake. Coffee should be avoided for patients with
GERD.
10. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks when the procedure
that involves instilling saline and an acid into the esophagus to observe for symptoms
will be done.
Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse schedule for this patient?
Bernstein test
Upper endoscopy
Barium swallow
24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring - ANSWER - Bernstein test
Rationale: Based upon the description, this patient is having a Bernstein test. This
diagnostic test establishes the diagnosis of GERD by instilling saline and then acid into
the esophagus. The patient with GERD will have symptoms of heartburn and reflux
when the acid is instilled; the patient without GERD will have no reaction. The
description of the procedure does not indicate a barium swallow, upper endoscopy, or
24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring.
Common GERD diagnostic tests include: - ANSWER - • Bernstein test
• Upper endoscopy
• Barium swallow
Solutions (100% Correct)
Rationale: Surgery may be necessary for patients who do not respond to pharmacologic
and lifestyle interventions. Laparoscopic fundoplication is the treatment of choice for
GERD. Proton pump inhibitors would not be prescribed since medication has not been
effective. Gastric bypass surgery is for weight loss, not GERD. The patient has already
used lifestyle modifications for treatment without success. Therefore, stress
management techniques would not be the best treatment option.
Surgical treatments of GERD are used when medications and lifestyle changes are
unsuccessful and include: - ANSWER - • Laparoscopic or Nissen fundoplication
• Surgery to tighten the tighten the lower esophageal sphincter
• Ablation therapy.
Nissen fundoplication. - ANSWER - The fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the
lower esophagus and the edges are sutured together.
A patient is diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Which patient behavior should the nurse identify that would make the GERD symptoms
worse?
Use of mint to alleviate heartburn
Use of proton-pump inhibitors
Limited health insurance plan
Elevating the head of the bed at night - ANSWER - Use of mint to alleviate heartburn
The nurse is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD).
Which pathophysiological change should the nurse identify as the cause of this
disease?
Weakened lower esophageal sphincter pressure
Thickening of the muscle between the stomach and intestines
Decreased gastric acid secretion
Herniation of the stomach through the diaphragm - ANSWER - Weakened lower
esophageal sphincter pressure
The nurse suspects that an infant is experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD).
Which symptom did the infant's mother most likely share with the nurse?
Watery stools
Arching back
, Swollen extremities
Frequent drooling - ANSWER - Arching back
Rationale: The clinical manifestations of GERD for the pediatric population are different
from clinical manifestations of GERD in the adult population. An infant or child may
exhibit poor eating, arching of the back, recurrent vomiting, irritability, and respiratory
symptoms. Watery stools, edema in the extremities, and frequent drooling do not
support the diagnosis of GERD.
A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports heartburn and reflux
after eating.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
Adding coffee with each meal
Encouraging to select foods that are high in fat
Administering antacids prior to eating meals
Consuming smaller meals with in between meal snacks - ANSWER - Consuming
smaller meals with in between meal snacks
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the patient with GERD who reports heartburn and
reflux after meals is to consume smaller meals with in between meal snacks. This
decreases gastric distention and reflux. Antacids decrease acid production after the
problem of reflux is occurring. It does not prevent the problem. The nurse would
encourage meals that restrict fat intake. Coffee should be avoided for patients with
GERD.
10. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks when the procedure
that involves instilling saline and an acid into the esophagus to observe for symptoms
will be done.
Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse schedule for this patient?
Bernstein test
Upper endoscopy
Barium swallow
24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring - ANSWER - Bernstein test
Rationale: Based upon the description, this patient is having a Bernstein test. This
diagnostic test establishes the diagnosis of GERD by instilling saline and then acid into
the esophagus. The patient with GERD will have symptoms of heartburn and reflux
when the acid is instilled; the patient without GERD will have no reaction. The
description of the procedure does not indicate a barium swallow, upper endoscopy, or
24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring.
Common GERD diagnostic tests include: - ANSWER - • Bernstein test
• Upper endoscopy
• Barium swallow
