Gastrointestinal (GI) Exam Practice Questions, Health Sciences Program, Academic Year 2026 –
Study Guide and Review Material
The nurse cares for a female with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. When reviewing the patient's
chart, the nurse expects to find which of the following lab values?
a) RBC = 4 mil/mm3
b) platelets = 75,000/mm3
c) Hgb = 18.2 g/dL
d) WBC = 15,000/mm3 - correct answer ✔✔ d (WBC = 15,000/mm3)
-due to *inflammation* (ESR will also be elevated)
The nurse understands which of these factors is the MOST likely source of hepatitis D?
a) Eating infected shellfish
b) Overly exerting oneself
c) Practicing poor hygiene
d) Receiving a blood transfusion - correct answer ✔✔ d (receiving a blood transfusion)
-hepatitis D co-infects with hepatitis B; spread by contact with blood and bodily fluids
The nurse identifies which diet BEST meets the nutritional needs of a client diagnosed with
cirrhosis?
a) High in calories plus vitamin supplements
b) High in protein and high in carbohydrates
,c) High in calcium and low in fat
d) High in iron and low in salt - correct answer ✔✔ b (high protein, high carb)
(since many alcoholics are malnourished, a high-protein diet is important; there will be no
change in calcium or iron requirements, and only moderate amounts of fat are allowed;
*cirrhosis accompanied by ascites, sodium may be restricted as well*)
The nurse obtains a history from a client suspected of having cirrhosis. Which statement, if
made by the client to the nurse, should the nurse recognize as MOST directly related to a
client's development of cirrhosis?
a) "For the past several weeks I have not slept for more than five hours a night."
b) "Since my spouse left me five years ago, I have been eating terribly."
c) "I have been drinking about a fifth of vodka a day for the last few months."
d) "My spouse was a heavy smoker, and I am concerned about second-hand smoke." - correct
answer ✔✔ c (drinking fifth of vodka/day for last few months)
alcohol has a toxic effect on the liver, which causes liver inflammation; s/s include N/V, anorexia,
weight loss, flatulence, fatigue, headache, ascites, jaundice, and spider angiomas
The home care nurse visits a client diagnosed with hepatitis. It is most important for the nurse
to intervene if the client makes which statement?
a) "I take acetaminophen when I get a headache"
b) "I do not drink wine with meals anymore"
c) "I keep my fingernails short"
d) "I wash my hands before I eat" - correct answer ✔✔ a (acetaminophen for headache)
,contraindicated b/c it is *hepatotoxic* (instruct pt to avoid all meds unless prescribed by HCP)
The nurse in the outpatient clinic is counseling a client with a diagnosis of cholecystitis. The
nurse determines teaching is successful if the client makes which of the following statements?
a) "I really like a lot of cream in my oatmeal."
b) "We eat a lot of broiled fish and chicken."
c) "I can't wait to eat the chocolate my children gave me."
d) "My favorite dish is broccoli with cheese and sauce." - correct answer ✔✔ b) "We eat a lot of
broiled fish and chicken."
patients with cholecystitis should eat foods high in protein and low in fat, such as broiled lean
meats; cooked fruits, non-gas forming veggies, and bread are also allowed; patients should
avoid high fat and gas-forming veggies such as cabbage, onions, broccoli, and cucumbers as
these foods may precipitate pain, N/V
Which symptoms of liver disease should the nurse expect to see in a client with Laënnec 's
cirrhosis?
a) Cloudy urine
b) Dark urine
c) Orange-colored stools
d) Tarry stools - correct answer ✔✔ b) Dark urine
normally bilirubin is not excreted in urine; urine with abnormal bilirubin is mahogany-colored
and has yellow foam when shaken; clients with cirrhosis may have clay-colored stools due to
decreased fecal urobilinogen
, The nurse cares for a client with a nasogastric tube in place. The client reports discomfort in the
back of the throat. Which action by the nurse is BEST?
a) Move the tube out 2 inches
b) Change feedings to full liquids
c) Reinsert tube into other nostril
d) Spray with viscous lidocaine solution - correct answer ✔✔ d) Spray with viscous lidocaine
solution
viscous lidocaine is a local anesthetic; spraying it on the irritated surface may relieve the
discomfort in the back of the client's throat; tube only repositioned if the tube isn't draining
after irrigation
The school nurse is informed that a sixth grader in the school has been diagnosed with hepatitis
A. It is MOST important for the nurse to teach the parents of the classmates to observe the
children for which of the following symptoms?
a) Fatigue
b) Increased appetite
c) Tarry stools
d) Pallor - correct answer ✔✔ a) Fatigue
symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, anorexia, RUQ pain, pruritus, jaundice; client will be
anorexic, stools will be clay-colored, urine will be tea-colored
The nurse cares for a client diagnosed with cholelithiasis. It is MOST important to instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods? SATA
a) Apples
Study Guide and Review Material
The nurse cares for a female with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. When reviewing the patient's
chart, the nurse expects to find which of the following lab values?
a) RBC = 4 mil/mm3
b) platelets = 75,000/mm3
c) Hgb = 18.2 g/dL
d) WBC = 15,000/mm3 - correct answer ✔✔ d (WBC = 15,000/mm3)
-due to *inflammation* (ESR will also be elevated)
The nurse understands which of these factors is the MOST likely source of hepatitis D?
a) Eating infected shellfish
b) Overly exerting oneself
c) Practicing poor hygiene
d) Receiving a blood transfusion - correct answer ✔✔ d (receiving a blood transfusion)
-hepatitis D co-infects with hepatitis B; spread by contact with blood and bodily fluids
The nurse identifies which diet BEST meets the nutritional needs of a client diagnosed with
cirrhosis?
a) High in calories plus vitamin supplements
b) High in protein and high in carbohydrates
,c) High in calcium and low in fat
d) High in iron and low in salt - correct answer ✔✔ b (high protein, high carb)
(since many alcoholics are malnourished, a high-protein diet is important; there will be no
change in calcium or iron requirements, and only moderate amounts of fat are allowed;
*cirrhosis accompanied by ascites, sodium may be restricted as well*)
The nurse obtains a history from a client suspected of having cirrhosis. Which statement, if
made by the client to the nurse, should the nurse recognize as MOST directly related to a
client's development of cirrhosis?
a) "For the past several weeks I have not slept for more than five hours a night."
b) "Since my spouse left me five years ago, I have been eating terribly."
c) "I have been drinking about a fifth of vodka a day for the last few months."
d) "My spouse was a heavy smoker, and I am concerned about second-hand smoke." - correct
answer ✔✔ c (drinking fifth of vodka/day for last few months)
alcohol has a toxic effect on the liver, which causes liver inflammation; s/s include N/V, anorexia,
weight loss, flatulence, fatigue, headache, ascites, jaundice, and spider angiomas
The home care nurse visits a client diagnosed with hepatitis. It is most important for the nurse
to intervene if the client makes which statement?
a) "I take acetaminophen when I get a headache"
b) "I do not drink wine with meals anymore"
c) "I keep my fingernails short"
d) "I wash my hands before I eat" - correct answer ✔✔ a (acetaminophen for headache)
,contraindicated b/c it is *hepatotoxic* (instruct pt to avoid all meds unless prescribed by HCP)
The nurse in the outpatient clinic is counseling a client with a diagnosis of cholecystitis. The
nurse determines teaching is successful if the client makes which of the following statements?
a) "I really like a lot of cream in my oatmeal."
b) "We eat a lot of broiled fish and chicken."
c) "I can't wait to eat the chocolate my children gave me."
d) "My favorite dish is broccoli with cheese and sauce." - correct answer ✔✔ b) "We eat a lot of
broiled fish and chicken."
patients with cholecystitis should eat foods high in protein and low in fat, such as broiled lean
meats; cooked fruits, non-gas forming veggies, and bread are also allowed; patients should
avoid high fat and gas-forming veggies such as cabbage, onions, broccoli, and cucumbers as
these foods may precipitate pain, N/V
Which symptoms of liver disease should the nurse expect to see in a client with Laënnec 's
cirrhosis?
a) Cloudy urine
b) Dark urine
c) Orange-colored stools
d) Tarry stools - correct answer ✔✔ b) Dark urine
normally bilirubin is not excreted in urine; urine with abnormal bilirubin is mahogany-colored
and has yellow foam when shaken; clients with cirrhosis may have clay-colored stools due to
decreased fecal urobilinogen
, The nurse cares for a client with a nasogastric tube in place. The client reports discomfort in the
back of the throat. Which action by the nurse is BEST?
a) Move the tube out 2 inches
b) Change feedings to full liquids
c) Reinsert tube into other nostril
d) Spray with viscous lidocaine solution - correct answer ✔✔ d) Spray with viscous lidocaine
solution
viscous lidocaine is a local anesthetic; spraying it on the irritated surface may relieve the
discomfort in the back of the client's throat; tube only repositioned if the tube isn't draining
after irrigation
The school nurse is informed that a sixth grader in the school has been diagnosed with hepatitis
A. It is MOST important for the nurse to teach the parents of the classmates to observe the
children for which of the following symptoms?
a) Fatigue
b) Increased appetite
c) Tarry stools
d) Pallor - correct answer ✔✔ a) Fatigue
symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, anorexia, RUQ pain, pruritus, jaundice; client will be
anorexic, stools will be clay-colored, urine will be tea-colored
The nurse cares for a client diagnosed with cholelithiasis. It is MOST important to instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods? SATA
a) Apples
