GI NCLEX EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS\A+ STUDY
MATERIAL\VERIFIED BY
EXPERT
The nurse is reviewing the etiology of peritonitis. Which of the following would the nurse identify as a
chemical cause of peritonitis?
A. Streptococcus infection
B. Pneumococcus infection
C. Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection
D. Bile leakage from the gallbladder
D. Peritonitis refers to a life-threatening, acute inflammation and infection of the parietal and visceral
pleura of the peritoneal cavity. There are several bacterial pathogens that are responsible for peritonitis,
including Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Options 1, 2 and 3 are bacterial
causes of peritonitis. Chemical causes of peritonitis include bile, pancreatic enzyme, or gastric acid
leakage. Therefore, option 4 is correct, as bile leakage from the gallbladder is a chemical cause of
peritonitis.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with peritonitis who is receiving intravenous (IV) fluids and
antibiotics who is awaiting surgery. In which of the following positions would the nurse place the
client?
A. Prone position
B. Semi-Fowler's position
C. Left lateral decubitus position
D. Right lateral decubitus position
B. Peritonitis refers to a life-threatening, acute inflammation and infection of the parietal and visceral
pleura of the peritoneal cavity. Placing the client in a Semi-Fowler's position promotes the drainage of
peritoneal fluid into the distal region of the abdominal cavity, which assists in mitigating complications.
Therefore, option 2 is correct, as the client positions in options 1, 3, and 4 would not promote drainage
of peritoneal fluid into the distal region of the abdominal cavity.
,The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client diagnosed with diverticulitis. The nurse
palpates the abdomen, expecting to note pain and tenderness in which area?
A. Epigastric area
B. Left lower quadrant
C. Left upper quadrant
D. Right upper quadrant
B. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. Risk factors for the development of diverticula include a low-fiber diet,
frequent constipation, and increased muscle weakness related to the aging process. The presence of
these pouch-like herniations describes diverticulosis, whereas inflammation and infection of these
pouches describes diverticulitis. Diverticulitis occurs when undigested food or bacteria become trapped
in the diverticulum, resulting in reduced blood flow to the area and subsequent bacterial invasion and
inflammation. Symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and pain localized to the left
lower quadrant. Therefore, option 2 is correct as the pain associated with diverticulitis is usually
localized to the left lower quadrant.
The nurse is caring for a client with diverticulitis. The nurse is reviewing the client's most recent
laboratory results. Which laboratory trend would the nurse expect?
A. Increased white blood cell count, increased hemoglobin, increased hematocrit
B. Decreased white blood cell count, increased hemoglobin, increased hematocrit
C. Increased white blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit
D. Decreased white blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit
C. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations, or diverticula, in the intestinal wall. Diverticulitis occurs when undigested food or bacteria
become trapped in the diverticulum, resulting in reduced blood flow to the area and subsequent
bacterial invasion and inflammation. Symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and pain
localized to the left lower quadrant. Complications of diverticulitis include lower gastrointestinal
bleeding, intestinal perforation, abscess formation, and peritonitis. Leukocytosis, or increased white
blood cell count, can occur due to the inflammatory and infectious processes associated with
diverticulitis. Also, hemoglobin and hematocrit may be decreased if there is associated gastrointestinal
bleeding. The option that indicates increased white blood cell count and decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit is correct. Therefore, option 3 is correct.
The nurse is assisting a client with acute diverticulitis in choosing an appropriate meal. Which food
items would the nurse suggest?
A. Scrambled eggs with low-fat yogurt
B. Whole-grain bran cereal with raisins
C. Whole-grain fettuccine with chicken and broccoli
D. Black bean burger on a whole-wheat bun with salad
A. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. During an acute episode of diverticulitis, low-fiber foods are
encouraged to decrease abdominal discomfort related to frequent stooling. After the acute episode, a
preventive diet should include high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain bread, pasta, cereal; beans; and
legumes. Low-fiber foods include eggs, fish, poultry, canned or cooked fruit without skin or seeds,
, refined white bread and white pastas, and yogurt, milk and cheese. Eliminate options 2 and 3 as both
options include whole-grain food items. Eliminate option 4 because black beans and the whole-wheat
bun are high in fiber. Therefore, option 1 is correct because eggs and yogurt are both low-fiber foods,
which is most therapeutic during an acute episode of diverticulitis.
The nurse is assisting a client diagnosed with diverticulosis with dietary management to prevent acute
diverticulitis. The nurse determines that the client requires a need for further teaching if the client
states that which food item is high in fiber?
A. Black beans
B. Vanilla yogurt
C. Butternut squash
D. Whole-grain wheat bread
B. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. A high-fiber diet is recommended to manage diverticulosis and prevent
an acute episode of diverticulitis. High-fiber foods include whole-grain bread, pasta, or cereal; beans;
and legumes. Low-fiber foods include eggs, fish, poultry, canned or cooked fruit without skin or seeds,
refined white bread and white pastas, and yogurt, milk and cheese. Eliminate options 1, 3, and 4
because these foods are considered to be a good source of fiber. Therefore, option 2 is the option that
would require a need for further teaching, as yogurt is a poor source of fiber.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a small-bowel obstruction (SBO) and has reported vomiting for
over the past 12 hours. The nurse assesses the client for signs and symptoms of which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C.Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Vomiting generates metabolic alkalosis by the loss of gastric secretions, which are rich in hydrochloric
acid (HCl). Whenever a hydrogen is excreted, a bicarbonate ion is gained in the extracellular space. The
decreased HCl level creates the actual base deficit of metabolic alkalosis. The client with severe vomiting
is not at risk for developing the acid-base disorders identified in options 1, 3, and 4.
The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day three after extensive abdominal surgery.
Which clinical manifestations would the client present that would alert the nurse of a bowel
obstruction? Select all that apply.
A. Nausea
B. Vomiting
C. Constipation
D. Abdominal pain
E. Abdominal distention
WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS\A+ STUDY
MATERIAL\VERIFIED BY
EXPERT
The nurse is reviewing the etiology of peritonitis. Which of the following would the nurse identify as a
chemical cause of peritonitis?
A. Streptococcus infection
B. Pneumococcus infection
C. Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection
D. Bile leakage from the gallbladder
D. Peritonitis refers to a life-threatening, acute inflammation and infection of the parietal and visceral
pleura of the peritoneal cavity. There are several bacterial pathogens that are responsible for peritonitis,
including Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Options 1, 2 and 3 are bacterial
causes of peritonitis. Chemical causes of peritonitis include bile, pancreatic enzyme, or gastric acid
leakage. Therefore, option 4 is correct, as bile leakage from the gallbladder is a chemical cause of
peritonitis.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with peritonitis who is receiving intravenous (IV) fluids and
antibiotics who is awaiting surgery. In which of the following positions would the nurse place the
client?
A. Prone position
B. Semi-Fowler's position
C. Left lateral decubitus position
D. Right lateral decubitus position
B. Peritonitis refers to a life-threatening, acute inflammation and infection of the parietal and visceral
pleura of the peritoneal cavity. Placing the client in a Semi-Fowler's position promotes the drainage of
peritoneal fluid into the distal region of the abdominal cavity, which assists in mitigating complications.
Therefore, option 2 is correct, as the client positions in options 1, 3, and 4 would not promote drainage
of peritoneal fluid into the distal region of the abdominal cavity.
,The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client diagnosed with diverticulitis. The nurse
palpates the abdomen, expecting to note pain and tenderness in which area?
A. Epigastric area
B. Left lower quadrant
C. Left upper quadrant
D. Right upper quadrant
B. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. Risk factors for the development of diverticula include a low-fiber diet,
frequent constipation, and increased muscle weakness related to the aging process. The presence of
these pouch-like herniations describes diverticulosis, whereas inflammation and infection of these
pouches describes diverticulitis. Diverticulitis occurs when undigested food or bacteria become trapped
in the diverticulum, resulting in reduced blood flow to the area and subsequent bacterial invasion and
inflammation. Symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and pain localized to the left
lower quadrant. Therefore, option 2 is correct as the pain associated with diverticulitis is usually
localized to the left lower quadrant.
The nurse is caring for a client with diverticulitis. The nurse is reviewing the client's most recent
laboratory results. Which laboratory trend would the nurse expect?
A. Increased white blood cell count, increased hemoglobin, increased hematocrit
B. Decreased white blood cell count, increased hemoglobin, increased hematocrit
C. Increased white blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit
D. Decreased white blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit
C. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations, or diverticula, in the intestinal wall. Diverticulitis occurs when undigested food or bacteria
become trapped in the diverticulum, resulting in reduced blood flow to the area and subsequent
bacterial invasion and inflammation. Symptoms of diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and pain
localized to the left lower quadrant. Complications of diverticulitis include lower gastrointestinal
bleeding, intestinal perforation, abscess formation, and peritonitis. Leukocytosis, or increased white
blood cell count, can occur due to the inflammatory and infectious processes associated with
diverticulitis. Also, hemoglobin and hematocrit may be decreased if there is associated gastrointestinal
bleeding. The option that indicates increased white blood cell count and decreased hemoglobin and
hematocrit is correct. Therefore, option 3 is correct.
The nurse is assisting a client with acute diverticulitis in choosing an appropriate meal. Which food
items would the nurse suggest?
A. Scrambled eggs with low-fat yogurt
B. Whole-grain bran cereal with raisins
C. Whole-grain fettuccine with chicken and broccoli
D. Black bean burger on a whole-wheat bun with salad
A. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. During an acute episode of diverticulitis, low-fiber foods are
encouraged to decrease abdominal discomfort related to frequent stooling. After the acute episode, a
preventive diet should include high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain bread, pasta, cereal; beans; and
legumes. Low-fiber foods include eggs, fish, poultry, canned or cooked fruit without skin or seeds,
, refined white bread and white pastas, and yogurt, milk and cheese. Eliminate options 2 and 3 as both
options include whole-grain food items. Eliminate option 4 because black beans and the whole-wheat
bun are high in fiber. Therefore, option 1 is correct because eggs and yogurt are both low-fiber foods,
which is most therapeutic during an acute episode of diverticulitis.
The nurse is assisting a client diagnosed with diverticulosis with dietary management to prevent acute
diverticulitis. The nurse determines that the client requires a need for further teaching if the client
states that which food item is high in fiber?
A. Black beans
B. Vanilla yogurt
C. Butternut squash
D. Whole-grain wheat bread
B. Diverticular disease occurs when portions of the small or large intestine herniate, forming pouch-like
herniations in the intestinal wall. A high-fiber diet is recommended to manage diverticulosis and prevent
an acute episode of diverticulitis. High-fiber foods include whole-grain bread, pasta, or cereal; beans;
and legumes. Low-fiber foods include eggs, fish, poultry, canned or cooked fruit without skin or seeds,
refined white bread and white pastas, and yogurt, milk and cheese. Eliminate options 1, 3, and 4
because these foods are considered to be a good source of fiber. Therefore, option 2 is the option that
would require a need for further teaching, as yogurt is a poor source of fiber.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a small-bowel obstruction (SBO) and has reported vomiting for
over the past 12 hours. The nurse assesses the client for signs and symptoms of which acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C.Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Vomiting generates metabolic alkalosis by the loss of gastric secretions, which are rich in hydrochloric
acid (HCl). Whenever a hydrogen is excreted, a bicarbonate ion is gained in the extracellular space. The
decreased HCl level creates the actual base deficit of metabolic alkalosis. The client with severe vomiting
is not at risk for developing the acid-base disorders identified in options 1, 3, and 4.
The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day three after extensive abdominal surgery.
Which clinical manifestations would the client present that would alert the nurse of a bowel
obstruction? Select all that apply.
A. Nausea
B. Vomiting
C. Constipation
D. Abdominal pain
E. Abdominal distention
