GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
Which of the following conditions can cause a hiatal her- D
nia? A hiatal hernia is caused by weakness of the diaphrag-
mic muscle and increased intra-abdominal—not in-
A. Increased intrathoracic pressure trathoracic—pressure. This weakness allows the stomach
B. Weakness of the esophageal muscle to slide into the esophagus. The esophageal supports
C. Increased esophageal muscle pressure weaken, but esophageal muscle weakness or increased
D. Weakness of the diaphragmic muscle esophageal muscle pressure isn't a factor in hiatal hernia.
Risk factors for the development of hiatal hernias are those
that lead to increased abdominal pressure. Which of the
following complications can cause increased abdominal
pressure? A
Obesity may cause increased abdominal pressure that
A. Obesity pushes the lower portion of the stomach into the thorax.
B. Volvulus
C. Constipation
D. Intestinal obstruction
Which of the following symptoms is common with a hiatal
hernia? C
Esophageal reflux is a common symptom of hiatal hernia.
A. Left arm pain This seems to be associated with chronic exposure of the
B. Lower back pain lower esophageal sphincter to the lower pressure of the
C. Esophageal reflux thorax, making it less ettective.
D. Abdominal cramping
Which of the following tests can be performed to diag-
nose a hiatal hernia?
C
A barium swallow with fluoroscopy shows the position of
A. Colonoscopy
the stomach in relation to the diaphragm. A colonoscopy
B. Lower GI series
and a lower GI series show disorders of the intestine.
C. Barium swallow
D. Abdominal x-rays
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
Which of the following measures should the nurse focus A
on for the client with esophageal varices? Recognizing the rupture of esophageal varices, or hemor-
rhage, is the focus of nursing care because the client could
A. Recognizing hemorrhage succumb to this quickly. Controlling blood pressure is also
B. Controlling blood pressure important because it helps reduce the risk of variceal rup-
C. Encouraging nutritional intake ture. It is also important to teach the client what varices
D. Teaching the client about varices are and what foods he should avoid such as spicy foods.
Which of the following tests can be used to diagnose
D
ulcers?
The EGD can visualize the entire upper GI tract as well as
allow for tissue specimens and electrocautery if needed.
A. Abdominal x-ray
The barium swallow could locate a gastric ulcer. A CT scan
B. Barium swallow
and an abdominal x-ray aren't useful in the diagnosis of
C. Computed tomography (CT) scan
an ulcer.
D. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Which of the following best describes the method of ac-
tion of medications, such as ranitidine (Zantac), which are
used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease?
B
Ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that re-
A. Neutralize acid
duces acid secretion by inhibiting gastrin secretion.
B. Reduce acid secretions
C. Stimulate gastrin release
D. Protect the mucosal barrier
The hospitalized client with GERD is complaining of chest
C
discomfort that feels like heartburn following a meal. After
administering an ordered antacid, the nurse encourages The discomfort of reflux is aggravated by positions that
the client to lie in which of the following positions? compress the abdomen and the stomach. These include
lying flat on the back or on the stomach after a meal of
A. Supine with the head of the bed flat
lying on the right side. The left side-lying position with the
B. On the stomach with the head flat
head of the bed elevated is most likely to give relief to the
C. On the left side with the head of the bed elevated 30
client.
degrees
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
D. On the right side with the head of the bed elevated 30
degrees
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client
following gastrectomy. Which measure will the nurse in- B
struct the client to follow to assist in preventing dumping The nurse should instruct the client to decrease the
syndrome? amount of fluid taken at meals and to avoid high car-
bohydrate foods including fluids such as fruit nectars; to
A. Eat high-carbohydrate foods assume a low-Fowler's position during meals; to lie down
B. Limit the fluids taken with meals for 30 minutes after eating to delay gastric emptying; and
C. Ambulate following a meal to take antispasmodics as prescribed.
D. Sit in a high-Fowlers position during meals
The nurse instructs the nursing assistant on how to pro-
vide oral hygiene for a client who cannot perform this task
for himself. Which of the following techniques should the B
nurse tell the assistant to incorporate into the client's daily A soft toothbrush should be used to brush the client's
care? teeth after each meal and more often as needed. Me-
chanical cleaning is necessary to maintain oral health,
A. Assess the oral cavity each time mouth care is given and simulate gingiva, and remove plaque. Assessing the oral
record observations cavity and recording observations is the responsibility of
B. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the client's teeth after the nurse, not the nursing assistant. Swabbing with a safe
each meal foam applicator does not provide enough friction to clean
C. Swab the client's tongue, gums, and lips with a soft the mouth. Mouthwash can be a drying irritant and is not
foam applicator every 2 hours recommended for frequent use.
D. Rinse the client's mouth with mouthwash several times
a day
A client with suspected gastric cancer undergoes an en- C
doscopy of the stomach. Which of the following assess- The most likely complication of an endoscopic procedure
ments made after the procedure would indicate the de- is perforation. A sudden temperature spike with 1 to 2
velopment of a potential complication? hours after the procedure is indicative of a perforation and
should be reported immediately to the physician. A sore
A. The client complains of a sore throat throat is to be anticipated after an endoscopy. Clients are
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
B. The client displays signs of sedation given sedatives during the procedure, so it is expected
C. The client experiences a sudden increase in tempera- that they will display signs of sedation after the procedure
ture is completed. A lack of appetite could be the result of many
D. The client demonstrates a lack of appetite factors, including the disease process.
A
After a subtotal gastrectomy, the nurse should anticipate
About 12 to 24 hours after a subtotal gastrectomy, gas-
that nasogastric tube drainage will be what color for about
tric drainage is normally brown, which indicates digested
12 to 24 hours after surgery?
blood. Bile green or cloudy white drainage is not expected
during the first 12 to 24 hours after a subtotal gastrectomy.
A. Dark brown
Drainage during the first 6 to 12 hours contains some
B. Bile green
bright red blood, but large amounts of blood or exces-
C. Bright red
sively bloody drainage should be reported to the physician
D. Cloudy white
promptly.
C
Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distention indicated that
gas and secretions are accumulating within the gastric
After a subtotal gastrectomy, care of the client's nasogas-
pouch due to impaired peristalsis or edema at the op-
tric tube and drainage system should include which of the
erative site and may indicate that the drainage system is
following nursing interventions?
not working properly. Saline solution is used to irrigate
nasogastric tubes. Hypotonic solutions such as water in-
A. Irrigate the tube with 30 ml of sterile water every hour,
crease electrolyte loss. In addition, a physician's order is
if needed
needed to irrigate the NG tube, because this procedure
B. Reposition the tube if it is not draining well
could disrupt the suture line. After gastric surgery, only the
C. Monitor the client for N/V, and abdominal distention
surgeon repositions the NG tube because of the danger
D. Turn the machine to high suction of the drainage is
of rupturing or dislodging the suture line. The amount of
sluggish on low suction
suction varies with the type of tube used and is ordered by
the physician. High suction may create too much tension
on the gastric suture line.
The client with GERD complains of a chronic cough. The D
nurse understands that in a client with GERD this symptom Clients with GERD can develop pulmonary symptoms such
may be indicative of which of the following conditions? as coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea that are caused by
Which of the following conditions can cause a hiatal her- D
nia? A hiatal hernia is caused by weakness of the diaphrag-
mic muscle and increased intra-abdominal—not in-
A. Increased intrathoracic pressure trathoracic—pressure. This weakness allows the stomach
B. Weakness of the esophageal muscle to slide into the esophagus. The esophageal supports
C. Increased esophageal muscle pressure weaken, but esophageal muscle weakness or increased
D. Weakness of the diaphragmic muscle esophageal muscle pressure isn't a factor in hiatal hernia.
Risk factors for the development of hiatal hernias are those
that lead to increased abdominal pressure. Which of the
following complications can cause increased abdominal
pressure? A
Obesity may cause increased abdominal pressure that
A. Obesity pushes the lower portion of the stomach into the thorax.
B. Volvulus
C. Constipation
D. Intestinal obstruction
Which of the following symptoms is common with a hiatal
hernia? C
Esophageal reflux is a common symptom of hiatal hernia.
A. Left arm pain This seems to be associated with chronic exposure of the
B. Lower back pain lower esophageal sphincter to the lower pressure of the
C. Esophageal reflux thorax, making it less ettective.
D. Abdominal cramping
Which of the following tests can be performed to diag-
nose a hiatal hernia?
C
A barium swallow with fluoroscopy shows the position of
A. Colonoscopy
the stomach in relation to the diaphragm. A colonoscopy
B. Lower GI series
and a lower GI series show disorders of the intestine.
C. Barium swallow
D. Abdominal x-rays
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
Which of the following measures should the nurse focus A
on for the client with esophageal varices? Recognizing the rupture of esophageal varices, or hemor-
rhage, is the focus of nursing care because the client could
A. Recognizing hemorrhage succumb to this quickly. Controlling blood pressure is also
B. Controlling blood pressure important because it helps reduce the risk of variceal rup-
C. Encouraging nutritional intake ture. It is also important to teach the client what varices
D. Teaching the client about varices are and what foods he should avoid such as spicy foods.
Which of the following tests can be used to diagnose
D
ulcers?
The EGD can visualize the entire upper GI tract as well as
allow for tissue specimens and electrocautery if needed.
A. Abdominal x-ray
The barium swallow could locate a gastric ulcer. A CT scan
B. Barium swallow
and an abdominal x-ray aren't useful in the diagnosis of
C. Computed tomography (CT) scan
an ulcer.
D. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Which of the following best describes the method of ac-
tion of medications, such as ranitidine (Zantac), which are
used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease?
B
Ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that re-
A. Neutralize acid
duces acid secretion by inhibiting gastrin secretion.
B. Reduce acid secretions
C. Stimulate gastrin release
D. Protect the mucosal barrier
The hospitalized client with GERD is complaining of chest
C
discomfort that feels like heartburn following a meal. After
administering an ordered antacid, the nurse encourages The discomfort of reflux is aggravated by positions that
the client to lie in which of the following positions? compress the abdomen and the stomach. These include
lying flat on the back or on the stomach after a meal of
A. Supine with the head of the bed flat
lying on the right side. The left side-lying position with the
B. On the stomach with the head flat
head of the bed elevated is most likely to give relief to the
C. On the left side with the head of the bed elevated 30
client.
degrees
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
D. On the right side with the head of the bed elevated 30
degrees
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client
following gastrectomy. Which measure will the nurse in- B
struct the client to follow to assist in preventing dumping The nurse should instruct the client to decrease the
syndrome? amount of fluid taken at meals and to avoid high car-
bohydrate foods including fluids such as fruit nectars; to
A. Eat high-carbohydrate foods assume a low-Fowler's position during meals; to lie down
B. Limit the fluids taken with meals for 30 minutes after eating to delay gastric emptying; and
C. Ambulate following a meal to take antispasmodics as prescribed.
D. Sit in a high-Fowlers position during meals
The nurse instructs the nursing assistant on how to pro-
vide oral hygiene for a client who cannot perform this task
for himself. Which of the following techniques should the B
nurse tell the assistant to incorporate into the client's daily A soft toothbrush should be used to brush the client's
care? teeth after each meal and more often as needed. Me-
chanical cleaning is necessary to maintain oral health,
A. Assess the oral cavity each time mouth care is given and simulate gingiva, and remove plaque. Assessing the oral
record observations cavity and recording observations is the responsibility of
B. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the client's teeth after the nurse, not the nursing assistant. Swabbing with a safe
each meal foam applicator does not provide enough friction to clean
C. Swab the client's tongue, gums, and lips with a soft the mouth. Mouthwash can be a drying irritant and is not
foam applicator every 2 hours recommended for frequent use.
D. Rinse the client's mouth with mouthwash several times
a day
A client with suspected gastric cancer undergoes an en- C
doscopy of the stomach. Which of the following assess- The most likely complication of an endoscopic procedure
ments made after the procedure would indicate the de- is perforation. A sudden temperature spike with 1 to 2
velopment of a potential complication? hours after the procedure is indicative of a perforation and
should be reported immediately to the physician. A sore
A. The client complains of a sore throat throat is to be anticipated after an endoscopy. Clients are
, GI NCLEX Test Questions with Answers Graded A+
B. The client displays signs of sedation given sedatives during the procedure, so it is expected
C. The client experiences a sudden increase in tempera- that they will display signs of sedation after the procedure
ture is completed. A lack of appetite could be the result of many
D. The client demonstrates a lack of appetite factors, including the disease process.
A
After a subtotal gastrectomy, the nurse should anticipate
About 12 to 24 hours after a subtotal gastrectomy, gas-
that nasogastric tube drainage will be what color for about
tric drainage is normally brown, which indicates digested
12 to 24 hours after surgery?
blood. Bile green or cloudy white drainage is not expected
during the first 12 to 24 hours after a subtotal gastrectomy.
A. Dark brown
Drainage during the first 6 to 12 hours contains some
B. Bile green
bright red blood, but large amounts of blood or exces-
C. Bright red
sively bloody drainage should be reported to the physician
D. Cloudy white
promptly.
C
Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distention indicated that
gas and secretions are accumulating within the gastric
After a subtotal gastrectomy, care of the client's nasogas-
pouch due to impaired peristalsis or edema at the op-
tric tube and drainage system should include which of the
erative site and may indicate that the drainage system is
following nursing interventions?
not working properly. Saline solution is used to irrigate
nasogastric tubes. Hypotonic solutions such as water in-
A. Irrigate the tube with 30 ml of sterile water every hour,
crease electrolyte loss. In addition, a physician's order is
if needed
needed to irrigate the NG tube, because this procedure
B. Reposition the tube if it is not draining well
could disrupt the suture line. After gastric surgery, only the
C. Monitor the client for N/V, and abdominal distention
surgeon repositions the NG tube because of the danger
D. Turn the machine to high suction of the drainage is
of rupturing or dislodging the suture line. The amount of
sluggish on low suction
suction varies with the type of tube used and is ordered by
the physician. High suction may create too much tension
on the gastric suture line.
The client with GERD complains of a chronic cough. The D
nurse understands that in a client with GERD this symptom Clients with GERD can develop pulmonary symptoms such
may be indicative of which of the following conditions? as coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea that are caused by
