ATI Med Surge GI (Gastrointestinal) Exam (2025-2026)
– Complete Questions & Answers with Extra Study
Guide
Introduction:
This document contains a full collection of ATI Medical-Surgical exam
questions and answers focused on the gastrointestinal (GI) system,
graded A for 2025-2026. It includes both standard exam-style
practice questions with correct answers and an extended section of
additional Q&As serving as a study guide. Covered topics include
peptic ulcers, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, GI
surgeries, nutrition, and diagnostic procedures. This resource is
comprehensive and suitable for exam preparation and nursing
review.
Exam Questions and Answers
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer.
The nurse should assess the client for which complication
commonly associated with the diagnosis? --- correct answer ---
Hemorrhage
1 oz = 30 ml --- correct answer ---
A client is admitted with anorexia, weight loss, abdominal
distention, and abnormal stools. A diagnosis of malabsorption
,syndrome is made. What nursing action should the nurse implement
to best meet this client's needs? --- correct answer ---Encourage the
consumption of high-protein foods
Following a major abdominal surgery, a client has a nasogastric
tube attached to continuous low suction. The nurse caring for the
client postoperatively monitors the client for what signs of
hypokalemia? (Select all that apply.) --- correct answer ---
Dysrhythmias
Muscle weakness
A client with a history of recurrent cholecystitis is scheduled for an
abdominal cholecystectomy. What should the nurse specifically
emphasize when planning preoperative teaching for this client? ---
correct answer ---Coughing and deep breathing
A client with cirrhosis of the liver has a prolonged prothrombin
time and a low platelet count. A regular diet is prescribed. What
should the nurse instruct the client to do considering the client's
condition? --- correct answer ---Report signs of bleeding no matter
how slight.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who had a gastrectomy.
What early client response indicates that peristalsis has returned? -
-- correct answer ---Borborygmi are auscultated
,A client reports experiencing nausea, dyspnea, and right upper
quadrant pain unrelieved by antacids. The pain occurs most often
after eating in fast-food restaurants. Which diet should the nurse
instruct the client to follow? --- correct answer ---Low fat
A nurse is eliciting a health history from a client with ulcerative
colitis. What factor does the nurse consider to be most likely
associated with the client's colitis? --- correct answer ---Genetic
predisposition
After an acute episode of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a client is
diagnosed with gastric ulcer. The client receives a prescription for
ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg twice a day to be taken with meals. The
nurse contacts the health care provider about the prescription
because ranitidine: --- correct answer ---Can be administered by a
variety of routes
A nurse is administering an enema to a client who is scheduled for
gastrointestinal surgery. What should the nurse do when the client
complains of abdominal cramps during the enema? --- correct
answer ---Close the lumen of the tubing and wait until the
discomfort subsides.
A client is diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and is
apprehensive and restless. Which nursing action should be included
, in the plan of care? --- correct answer ---Encouraging expression of
concerns
A nurse is assessing two clients. One client has ulcerative colitis
and the other client has Crohn's disease. Which is more likely to be
identified in the client with ulcerative colitis than the client with
Crohn's disease? --- correct answer ---Involvement starting distally
with rectal bleeding that spreads continuously up the colon
A client with a history of ulcerative colitis has a large portion of the
large intestine removed and the creation of an ileostomy. For which
potential life-threatening complication should the nurse assess the
client after this surgery? --- correct answer ---Limited water
reabsorption caused by removal of intestine
A client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate is to be
discharged from the outpatient surgical department. Which client
statement indicates to the nurse that discharge teaching about self-
care is understood? --- correct answer ---"I will notify my health
care provider if persistent bleeding occurs."
A nurse obtains daily stool specimens for a client with chronic
bowel inflammation. The nurse concludes that these stool
examinations were prescribed to determine: --- correct answer ---
Occult blood
– Complete Questions & Answers with Extra Study
Guide
Introduction:
This document contains a full collection of ATI Medical-Surgical exam
questions and answers focused on the gastrointestinal (GI) system,
graded A for 2025-2026. It includes both standard exam-style
practice questions with correct answers and an extended section of
additional Q&As serving as a study guide. Covered topics include
peptic ulcers, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, GI
surgeries, nutrition, and diagnostic procedures. This resource is
comprehensive and suitable for exam preparation and nursing
review.
Exam Questions and Answers
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer.
The nurse should assess the client for which complication
commonly associated with the diagnosis? --- correct answer ---
Hemorrhage
1 oz = 30 ml --- correct answer ---
A client is admitted with anorexia, weight loss, abdominal
distention, and abnormal stools. A diagnosis of malabsorption
,syndrome is made. What nursing action should the nurse implement
to best meet this client's needs? --- correct answer ---Encourage the
consumption of high-protein foods
Following a major abdominal surgery, a client has a nasogastric
tube attached to continuous low suction. The nurse caring for the
client postoperatively monitors the client for what signs of
hypokalemia? (Select all that apply.) --- correct answer ---
Dysrhythmias
Muscle weakness
A client with a history of recurrent cholecystitis is scheduled for an
abdominal cholecystectomy. What should the nurse specifically
emphasize when planning preoperative teaching for this client? ---
correct answer ---Coughing and deep breathing
A client with cirrhosis of the liver has a prolonged prothrombin
time and a low platelet count. A regular diet is prescribed. What
should the nurse instruct the client to do considering the client's
condition? --- correct answer ---Report signs of bleeding no matter
how slight.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who had a gastrectomy.
What early client response indicates that peristalsis has returned? -
-- correct answer ---Borborygmi are auscultated
,A client reports experiencing nausea, dyspnea, and right upper
quadrant pain unrelieved by antacids. The pain occurs most often
after eating in fast-food restaurants. Which diet should the nurse
instruct the client to follow? --- correct answer ---Low fat
A nurse is eliciting a health history from a client with ulcerative
colitis. What factor does the nurse consider to be most likely
associated with the client's colitis? --- correct answer ---Genetic
predisposition
After an acute episode of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a client is
diagnosed with gastric ulcer. The client receives a prescription for
ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg twice a day to be taken with meals. The
nurse contacts the health care provider about the prescription
because ranitidine: --- correct answer ---Can be administered by a
variety of routes
A nurse is administering an enema to a client who is scheduled for
gastrointestinal surgery. What should the nurse do when the client
complains of abdominal cramps during the enema? --- correct
answer ---Close the lumen of the tubing and wait until the
discomfort subsides.
A client is diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and is
apprehensive and restless. Which nursing action should be included
, in the plan of care? --- correct answer ---Encouraging expression of
concerns
A nurse is assessing two clients. One client has ulcerative colitis
and the other client has Crohn's disease. Which is more likely to be
identified in the client with ulcerative colitis than the client with
Crohn's disease? --- correct answer ---Involvement starting distally
with rectal bleeding that spreads continuously up the colon
A client with a history of ulcerative colitis has a large portion of the
large intestine removed and the creation of an ileostomy. For which
potential life-threatening complication should the nurse assess the
client after this surgery? --- correct answer ---Limited water
reabsorption caused by removal of intestine
A client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate is to be
discharged from the outpatient surgical department. Which client
statement indicates to the nurse that discharge teaching about self-
care is understood? --- correct answer ---"I will notify my health
care provider if persistent bleeding occurs."
A nurse obtains daily stool specimens for a client with chronic
bowel inflammation. The nurse concludes that these stool
examinations were prescribed to determine: --- correct answer ---
Occult blood
