1
HESI Exit Exam Question Bank: GI Disorders &
Nutritional Support
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Upper GI Disorders ................. 2
Subtopic 2: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis) .............. 9
Subtopic 3: Hepatobiliary Disorders (Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas) ........................... 17
Subtopic 4: Gastrointestinal Cancers and Tumor Syndromes ......................................... 25
Subtopic 5: Gastrointestinal Surgical Interventions and Postoperative Nursing ................ 32
Subtopic 6: Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Procedures and Interpretation ........................... 40
Subtopic 7: Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Testing and Interpretation (Questions 121–140) .. 47
Subtopic 8: Pediatric GI Disorders and Nutrition ............................................................ 55
Subtopic 9: GI Diagnostic Procedures and Interpretation ............................................... 62
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Subtopic 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and
Upper GI Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is educating a patient recently diagnosed with GERD about dietary modifications.
Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend the patient to avoid?
A. Chocolate
B. Apples
C. Brown rice
D. Chicken breast
Correct answer: A. Chocolate
Rationale: Chocolate contains methylxanthines which relax the lower esophageal
sphincter, increasing the risk of acid reflux in GERD patients.
Question 2
A patient with GERD is prescribed omeprazole. What is the primary action of this
medication?
A. Increases gastric motility
B. Neutralizes stomach acid
C. Inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking proton pumps
D. Coats the esophagus to reduce irritation
Correct answer: C. Inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking proton pumps
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppresses gastric acid
secretion by blocking the enzyme in the stomach wall that produces acid.
Question 3
Which assessment finding in a patient with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) requires immediate
intervention?
, 3
A. Complaint of epigastric burning
B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Positive H. pylori test
D. Belching after meals
Correct answer: B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
Rationale: A rigid abdomen may indicate perforation, a life-threatening complication of
PUD that requires immediate surgical evaluation.
Question 4
A patient with a history of chronic NSAID use is at risk for which GI disorder?
A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Appendicitis
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Diverticulitis
Correct answer: A. Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins that protect the gastric mucosa, increasing the
risk for ulcer formation.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with an upper GI bleed. Which laboratory result should be
most concerning?
A. Elevated BUN
B. Hematocrit of 38%
C. Hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dL
D. Platelet count of 190,000/mm³
Correct answer: C. Hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dL
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Rationale: A hemoglobin level this low suggests significant blood loss and may require
blood transfusion.
Question 6
The nurse is reinforcing teaching to a patient with hiatal hernia. Which statement indicates
the need for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid large meals."
B. "I’ll sleep with the head of my bed elevated."
C. "I’ll lie down right after meals to digest better."
D. "I’ll avoid spicy foods to prevent symptoms."
Correct answer: C. "I’ll lie down right after meals to digest better."
Rationale: Lying down immediately after eating can worsen reflux symptoms in hiatal
hernia and GERD.
Question 7
Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with esophageal varices?
A. Administering NSAIDs for pain
B. Encouraging a high-fiber diet
C. Administering octreotide to reduce portal pressure
D. Providing antacids
Correct answer: C. Administering octreotide to reduce portal pressure
Rationale: Octreotide is used to reduce portal venous pressure and bleeding risk from
varices.
Question 8
In assessing a patient with possible upper GI bleed, which symptom is most indicative?
A. Bright red blood in stool
HESI Exit Exam Question Bank: GI Disorders &
Nutritional Support
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Upper GI Disorders ................. 2
Subtopic 2: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis) .............. 9
Subtopic 3: Hepatobiliary Disorders (Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas) ........................... 17
Subtopic 4: Gastrointestinal Cancers and Tumor Syndromes ......................................... 25
Subtopic 5: Gastrointestinal Surgical Interventions and Postoperative Nursing ................ 32
Subtopic 6: Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Procedures and Interpretation ........................... 40
Subtopic 7: Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Testing and Interpretation (Questions 121–140) .. 47
Subtopic 8: Pediatric GI Disorders and Nutrition ............................................................ 55
Subtopic 9: GI Diagnostic Procedures and Interpretation ............................................... 62
, 2
Subtopic 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and
Upper GI Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is educating a patient recently diagnosed with GERD about dietary modifications.
Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend the patient to avoid?
A. Chocolate
B. Apples
C. Brown rice
D. Chicken breast
Correct answer: A. Chocolate
Rationale: Chocolate contains methylxanthines which relax the lower esophageal
sphincter, increasing the risk of acid reflux in GERD patients.
Question 2
A patient with GERD is prescribed omeprazole. What is the primary action of this
medication?
A. Increases gastric motility
B. Neutralizes stomach acid
C. Inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking proton pumps
D. Coats the esophagus to reduce irritation
Correct answer: C. Inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking proton pumps
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppresses gastric acid
secretion by blocking the enzyme in the stomach wall that produces acid.
Question 3
Which assessment finding in a patient with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) requires immediate
intervention?
, 3
A. Complaint of epigastric burning
B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Positive H. pylori test
D. Belching after meals
Correct answer: B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
Rationale: A rigid abdomen may indicate perforation, a life-threatening complication of
PUD that requires immediate surgical evaluation.
Question 4
A patient with a history of chronic NSAID use is at risk for which GI disorder?
A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Appendicitis
C. Cholelithiasis
D. Diverticulitis
Correct answer: A. Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins that protect the gastric mucosa, increasing the
risk for ulcer formation.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with an upper GI bleed. Which laboratory result should be
most concerning?
A. Elevated BUN
B. Hematocrit of 38%
C. Hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dL
D. Platelet count of 190,000/mm³
Correct answer: C. Hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dL
, 4
Rationale: A hemoglobin level this low suggests significant blood loss and may require
blood transfusion.
Question 6
The nurse is reinforcing teaching to a patient with hiatal hernia. Which statement indicates
the need for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid large meals."
B. "I’ll sleep with the head of my bed elevated."
C. "I’ll lie down right after meals to digest better."
D. "I’ll avoid spicy foods to prevent symptoms."
Correct answer: C. "I’ll lie down right after meals to digest better."
Rationale: Lying down immediately after eating can worsen reflux symptoms in hiatal
hernia and GERD.
Question 7
Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with esophageal varices?
A. Administering NSAIDs for pain
B. Encouraging a high-fiber diet
C. Administering octreotide to reduce portal pressure
D. Providing antacids
Correct answer: C. Administering octreotide to reduce portal pressure
Rationale: Octreotide is used to reduce portal venous pressure and bleeding risk from
varices.
Question 8
In assessing a patient with possible upper GI bleed, which symptom is most indicative?
A. Bright red blood in stool
