INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Which patient has the highest risk for developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
A 45-year-old Asian female
A 35-year-old Hispanic female
A 55-year-old African American male
A 25-year-old Ashkenazic Jewish male - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅D
A patient with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reports 15-20 diarrheal stools per day.
Which question would the nurse ask the patient to help determine a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis versus
Crohn's disease?
"Do you have any family members with IBD?"
"Have you been tested for colorectal cancer?"
"Have you noticed a lot of blood in your stool?"
"When did you first begin experiencing these symptoms?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
The nurse is assessing a patient with Crohn's disease. Which assessment findings suggest the
development of complications related to the disorder?
Select all that apply.
Jaundice
Nystagmus
Clubbed fingers
Aphthous ulcers
Peripheral neuropathy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A,C,D
The nurse is caring for a patient with ulcerative colitis and abdominal cramping who reports 10-15
episodes of diarrhea daily. Which lab tests would the nurse anticipate?
Select all that apply.
Lipase
, Albumin
Hemoglobin
Total cholesterol
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B,C,E
A patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) is admitted to the medical surgical unit for treatment of symptoms.
Which provider orders should the nurse anticipate?
Select all that apply.
Elevate the head of the bed
Initiate intravenous (IV) fluids
Prepare the patient for surgery
Place the patient on NPO status
Administer antibiotic therapy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B,D,E
The nurse is caring for a patient with Crohn's disease after surgery to treat an intestinal stricture. The
patient has normal respiratory effort, is lethargic, and reports pain 7/10. The nurse notes redness and
inflammation around the incision, absent bowel sounds, and a temperature of 101.8° F. Which action is
most important for the nurse to take?
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Administer a scheduled antibiotic
Administer a laxative suppository
Change the dressing to the incision - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B
Which assessment findings would the nurse expect to find for a patient with diagnosed Crohn's disease
that has developed complications outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
Select all that apply.
Epistaxis
Joint pain
Periorbital edema
ANSWERS
Which patient has the highest risk for developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
A 45-year-old Asian female
A 35-year-old Hispanic female
A 55-year-old African American male
A 25-year-old Ashkenazic Jewish male - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅D
A patient with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reports 15-20 diarrheal stools per day.
Which question would the nurse ask the patient to help determine a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis versus
Crohn's disease?
"Do you have any family members with IBD?"
"Have you been tested for colorectal cancer?"
"Have you noticed a lot of blood in your stool?"
"When did you first begin experiencing these symptoms?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅C
The nurse is assessing a patient with Crohn's disease. Which assessment findings suggest the
development of complications related to the disorder?
Select all that apply.
Jaundice
Nystagmus
Clubbed fingers
Aphthous ulcers
Peripheral neuropathy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A,C,D
The nurse is caring for a patient with ulcerative colitis and abdominal cramping who reports 10-15
episodes of diarrhea daily. Which lab tests would the nurse anticipate?
Select all that apply.
Lipase
, Albumin
Hemoglobin
Total cholesterol
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B,C,E
A patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) is admitted to the medical surgical unit for treatment of symptoms.
Which provider orders should the nurse anticipate?
Select all that apply.
Elevate the head of the bed
Initiate intravenous (IV) fluids
Prepare the patient for surgery
Place the patient on NPO status
Administer antibiotic therapy - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B,D,E
The nurse is caring for a patient with Crohn's disease after surgery to treat an intestinal stricture. The
patient has normal respiratory effort, is lethargic, and reports pain 7/10. The nurse notes redness and
inflammation around the incision, absent bowel sounds, and a temperature of 101.8° F. Which action is
most important for the nurse to take?
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Administer a scheduled antibiotic
Administer a laxative suppository
Change the dressing to the incision - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅B
Which assessment findings would the nurse expect to find for a patient with diagnosed Crohn's disease
that has developed complications outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
Select all that apply.
Epistaxis
Joint pain
Periorbital edema
