ATI Med Surg Gastrointestinal Actual
Exam Questions And Answers Practice
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Already Graded A+
Question 1 (Celiac Disease)
A nurse is caring for a client who has celiac disease. Which of the
following foods should the nurse remove from the client's meal
tray?
A. Tapioca pudding
B. Hard-boiled egg
C. Wheat toast
D. Mashed potatoes
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: C. Wheat toast
Rationale: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by
gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Wheat toast
contains gluten and must be eliminated from the diet. Tapioca
pudding, eggs, and potatoes are naturally gluten-free.
Question 2 (GERD Management)
A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports
heartburn that awakens him at night. Which recommendation
should the nurse provide first?
,A. Take an antacid immediately before lying down
B. Elevate the head of the bed on 6- to 8-inch blocks
C. Eat a large meal at bedtime to buffer acid
D. Sleep on the right side to reduce reflux
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: B. Elevate the head of the bed on 6- to 8-inch
blocks.
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed uses gravity to reduce
nocturnal reflux and is a first-line nonpharmacologic intervention.
Antacids are short-acting, large meals worsen reflux, and sleeping
on the left side (not right) is preferred to reduce reflux.
Question 3 (Duodenal Ulcer)
A client with a duodenal ulcer reports that pain is relieved by
eating. This is because:
A. Food buffers gastric acid, reducing duodenal acid exposure
B. The ulcer is located in the stomach, not the duodenum
C. Eating stimulates gastrin, which increases mucosal protection
D. Food physically blocks the ulcer crater
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: A. Food buffers gastric acid, reducing
duodenal acid exposure.
Rationale: Duodenal ulcer pain typically occurs 2–3 hours after
meals (when the stomach empties acid into the duodenum) and is
relieved by food because food buffers gastric acid.
,Question 4 (Colorectal Cancer Lab Values)
A nurse is reviewing the lab values of a client who has colorectal
cancer. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Negative fecal occult blood test
B. Decreased serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level
C. Hematocrit 43% (normal 37–47%)
D. Elevated CEA level
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: D. Elevated CEA level
Rationale: In colorectal cancer, the carcinoembryonic antigen
(CEA) is often elevated. Fecal occult blood testing is usually
positive, and anemia may be present depending on tumor
bleeding.
Question 5 (Post-op Bowel Perforation)
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with a bowel
obstruction. The client reports severe abdominal pain. Which of
the following assessment findings should indicate to the nurse
that a possible bowel perforation has occurred?
A. Elevated blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds increased in frequency and pitch
C. Rigid abdomen
D. Emesis of undigested food
, Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: C. Rigid abdomen
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen is a classic sign of
peritonitis caused by bowel perforation and leakage of intestinal
contents into the peritoneal cavity. Other signs include severe
pain, rebound tenderness, and signs of shock.
Question 6 (Hepatitis A Risk Group)
A community health nurse is planning an educational program
about hepatitis A. Which of the following groups is most at risk
for developing hepatitis A?
A. Children
B. Older adults
C. Women who are pregnant
D. Middle-aged men
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: A. Children
Rationale: Hepatitis A is most common among children,
particularly in areas with poor sanitation. Outbreaks often occur in
daycare centers and schools.
Question 7 (NG Tube Post-op Finding)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following
gastric surgery and has an NG tube inserted. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Exam Questions And Answers Practice
Questions with Solutions Newest |
Already Graded A+
Question 1 (Celiac Disease)
A nurse is caring for a client who has celiac disease. Which of the
following foods should the nurse remove from the client's meal
tray?
A. Tapioca pudding
B. Hard-boiled egg
C. Wheat toast
D. Mashed potatoes
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: C. Wheat toast
Rationale: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by
gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Wheat toast
contains gluten and must be eliminated from the diet. Tapioca
pudding, eggs, and potatoes are naturally gluten-free.
Question 2 (GERD Management)
A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports
heartburn that awakens him at night. Which recommendation
should the nurse provide first?
,A. Take an antacid immediately before lying down
B. Elevate the head of the bed on 6- to 8-inch blocks
C. Eat a large meal at bedtime to buffer acid
D. Sleep on the right side to reduce reflux
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: B. Elevate the head of the bed on 6- to 8-inch
blocks.
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed uses gravity to reduce
nocturnal reflux and is a first-line nonpharmacologic intervention.
Antacids are short-acting, large meals worsen reflux, and sleeping
on the left side (not right) is preferred to reduce reflux.
Question 3 (Duodenal Ulcer)
A client with a duodenal ulcer reports that pain is relieved by
eating. This is because:
A. Food buffers gastric acid, reducing duodenal acid exposure
B. The ulcer is located in the stomach, not the duodenum
C. Eating stimulates gastrin, which increases mucosal protection
D. Food physically blocks the ulcer crater
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: A. Food buffers gastric acid, reducing
duodenal acid exposure.
Rationale: Duodenal ulcer pain typically occurs 2–3 hours after
meals (when the stomach empties acid into the duodenum) and is
relieved by food because food buffers gastric acid.
,Question 4 (Colorectal Cancer Lab Values)
A nurse is reviewing the lab values of a client who has colorectal
cancer. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Negative fecal occult blood test
B. Decreased serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level
C. Hematocrit 43% (normal 37–47%)
D. Elevated CEA level
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: D. Elevated CEA level
Rationale: In colorectal cancer, the carcinoembryonic antigen
(CEA) is often elevated. Fecal occult blood testing is usually
positive, and anemia may be present depending on tumor
bleeding.
Question 5 (Post-op Bowel Perforation)
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with a bowel
obstruction. The client reports severe abdominal pain. Which of
the following assessment findings should indicate to the nurse
that a possible bowel perforation has occurred?
A. Elevated blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds increased in frequency and pitch
C. Rigid abdomen
D. Emesis of undigested food
, Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: C. Rigid abdomen
Rationale: A rigid, board-like abdomen is a classic sign of
peritonitis caused by bowel perforation and leakage of intestinal
contents into the peritoneal cavity. Other signs include severe
pain, rebound tenderness, and signs of shock.
Question 6 (Hepatitis A Risk Group)
A community health nurse is planning an educational program
about hepatitis A. Which of the following groups is most at risk
for developing hepatitis A?
A. Children
B. Older adults
C. Women who are pregnant
D. Middle-aged men
Answer & Rationale:
Correct Answer: A. Children
Rationale: Hepatitis A is most common among children,
particularly in areas with poor sanitation. Outbreaks often occur in
daycare centers and schools.
Question 7 (NG Tube Post-op Finding)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following
gastric surgery and has an NG tube inserted. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
