GI Nursing – Brunner and Suddarth Exam Review 2025 | Gastrointestinal System Disorders, Medications, and NGN Clinical Scenarios | University of Texas Health Science Center

GI Nursing – Brunner and Suddarth
Exam Review 2025
University of Texas Health Science Center




GI Nursing – Brunner and Suddarth Exam Review 2025 |
Gastrointestinal System Disorders, Medications, and NGN
Clinical Scenarios | University of Texas Health Science
Center

,GI - Brunner and Suddarth

2. A nurse is promoting increased protein intake to enhance a patients wound healing. The nurse
knows that enzymes are essential in the digestion of nutrients such as protein. What is the
enzyme that initiates the digestion of protein?
A) Pepsin
B) Intrinsic factor
C) Lipase
D) Amylase
Ans: A
Feedback:
The enzyme that initiates the digestion of protein is pepsin. Intrinsic factor combines with
vitamin B12
for absorption by the ileum. Lipase aids in the digestion of fats and amylase aids in the digestion
of
starch.

6. A patient has come to the outpatient radiology department for diagnostic testing. Which of the
following diagnostic procedures will allow the care team to evaluate and remove polyps?
A) Colonoscopy
B) Barium enema
C) ERCP
D) Upper gastrointestinal fibroscopy
Ans: A
Feedback:
During colonoscopy, tissue biopsies can be obtained as needed, and polyps can be removed and
evaluated. This is not possible during a barium enema, ERCP, or gastroscopy.

7. A nurse is caring for a patient with recurrent hematemesis who is scheduled for upper
gastrointestinal fibroscopy (UGF). How should the nurse in the radiology department prepare
this patient?
A) Insert a nasogastric tube.
B) Administer a micro Fleet enema at least 3 hours before the procedure.
C) Have the patient lie in a supine position for the procedure.
D) Apply local anesthetic to the back of the patients throat.

Ans: D
Feedback:
Preparation for UGF includes spraying or gargling with a local anesthetic. A nasogastric tube or a
micro
Fleet enema is not required for this procedure. The patient should be positioned in a side-lying

, position
in case of emesis.

9. A patient has sought care because of recent dark-colored stools. As a result, a fecal occult
blood test has been ordered. The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid which of the following
prior to collecting a
stool sample?
A) NSAIDs
B) Acetaminophen
C) OTC vitamin D supplements
D) Fiber supplements

Ans: A
Feedback:
NSAIDs can cause a false-positive fecal occult blood test. Acetaminophen, vitamin D
supplements, and
fiber supplements do not have this effect.

10. The nurse is preparing to perform a patients abdominal assessment. What examination
sequence should the nurse follow?
A) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation
B) Inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion
C) Inspection, percussion, palpation, and auscultation
D) Inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation

Ans: A
Feedback:
When performing a focused assessment of the patients abdomen, auscultation should always
precede
percussion and palpation because they may alter bowel sounds. The traditional sequence for all
other
focused assessments is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

11. A patient who has been experiencing changes in his bowel function is scheduled for a barium
enema. What instruction should the nurse provide for post procedure recovery?
A) Remain NPO for 6 hours post procedure.
B) Administer a Fleet enema to cleanse the bowel of the barium.
C) Increase fluid intake to evacuate the barium.
D) Avoid dairy products for 24 hours post procedure.

Ans: C
Feedback:
Adequate fluid intake is necessary to rid the GI tract of barium. The patient must not remain