Comprehensive Nursing Assessment, Prioritization,
Intervention, and Patient Education for
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Management of
Nausea, Vomiting, Dysphagia, GERD, Peptic Ulcer
Disease, Gastritis, Esophageal and Gastric Cancer,
Dumping Syndrome, Postoperative Care After
Gastrectomy and Esophagectomy, Risk Reduction
for GI Complications, Medication Administration
and Effects (PPIs, H2 Blockers, Antacids,
Sucralfate, Metoclopramide, Misoprostol), Fluid
and Electrolyte Monitoring, Infection Control,
Nutritional Support, and Evidence-Based Clinical
Decision-Making for Acute and Chronic GI
Conditions Exam Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
A 53-yr-old male patient with deep partial-thickness burns from a chemical spill in the
workplace experiences severe pain followed by nausea during dressing changes. Which action
will be most useful in decreasing the patient's nausea?
a. Keep the patient NPO for 2 hours before dressing changes.
b. Give the ordered prochlorperazine before dressing changes.
c. Administer the prescribed morphine sulfate before dressing changes.
d. Avoid performing dressing changes close to the patient's mealtimes.
ANS: C
Because the patient's nausea is associated with severe pain, it is likely that it is precipitated by
stress and pain. The best treatment will be to provide adequate pain medication before dressing
changes. The nurse should avoid doing painful procedures close to mealtimes, but nausea or
vomiting that occur at other times also should be addressed. Keeping the patient NPO does not
,address the reason for the nausea and vomiting and will have an adverse effect on the patient's
nutrition. Administration of antiemetics is not the best choice for a patient with nausea caused
by pain. However, an antiemetic may be added later if the nausea persists despite pain
management.
Which item should the nurse offer to the patient who is to restart oral intake after being NPO
due to nausea and vomiting?
a. Glass of orange juice
b. Dish of lemon gelatin
c. Cup of coffee with cream
d. Bowl of hot chicken broth
ANS: B
Clear cool liquids are usually the first foods started after a patient has been nauseated. Acidic
foods such as orange juice, very hot foods, and coffee are poorly tolerated when patients have
been nauseated.
A 38-year old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer develops a Candida albicans
oral infection. The nurse will anticipate the need for
a. hydrogen peroxide rinses.
b. the use of antiviral agents.
c. administration of nystatin tablets.
d. referral to a dentist for professional tooth cleaning.
ANS: C
Candida albicans infections are treated with an antifungal such as nystatin. Peroxide rinses
would be painful. Oral saltwater rinses may be used but will not cure the infection. Antiviral
agents are used for viral infections such as herpes simplex. Referral to a dentist is indicated for
gingivitis but not for Candida infection.
, Which finding in the mouth of a patient who uses smokeless tobacco is suggestive of oral
cancer?
a. Bleeding during tooth brushing
b. Painful blisters at the lip border
c. Red, velvety patches on the buccal mucosa
d. White, curdlike plaques on the posterior tongue
ANS: C
A red, velvety patch suggests erythroplasia, which has a high incidence (>50%) of progression to
squamous cell carcinoma. The other lesions are suggestive of acute processes (e.g., gingivitis,
oral candidiasis, herpes simplex).
Which information will the nurse include when teaching adults to decrease the risk for cancers
of the tongue and buccal mucosa?
a. Avoid use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
b. Use sunscreen when outside even on cloudy days.
c. Complete antibiotic courses used to treat throat infections.
d. Use antivirals to treat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
ANS: A
Tobacco use greatly increases the risk for oral cancer. Acute throat infections do not increase
the risk for oral cancer, although chronic irritation of the oral mucosa does increase risk. Sun
exposure does not increase the risk for cancers of the buccal mucosa. Human papillomavirus
(HPV) infection is associated with an increased risk, but HSV infection is not a risk factor for oral
cancer.
A patient who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experiencing increasing
discomfort. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that additional teaching about GERD
is needed?
Intervention, and Patient Education for
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Management of
Nausea, Vomiting, Dysphagia, GERD, Peptic Ulcer
Disease, Gastritis, Esophageal and Gastric Cancer,
Dumping Syndrome, Postoperative Care After
Gastrectomy and Esophagectomy, Risk Reduction
for GI Complications, Medication Administration
and Effects (PPIs, H2 Blockers, Antacids,
Sucralfate, Metoclopramide, Misoprostol), Fluid
and Electrolyte Monitoring, Infection Control,
Nutritional Support, and Evidence-Based Clinical
Decision-Making for Acute and Chronic GI
Conditions Exam Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
A 53-yr-old male patient with deep partial-thickness burns from a chemical spill in the
workplace experiences severe pain followed by nausea during dressing changes. Which action
will be most useful in decreasing the patient's nausea?
a. Keep the patient NPO for 2 hours before dressing changes.
b. Give the ordered prochlorperazine before dressing changes.
c. Administer the prescribed morphine sulfate before dressing changes.
d. Avoid performing dressing changes close to the patient's mealtimes.
ANS: C
Because the patient's nausea is associated with severe pain, it is likely that it is precipitated by
stress and pain. The best treatment will be to provide adequate pain medication before dressing
changes. The nurse should avoid doing painful procedures close to mealtimes, but nausea or
vomiting that occur at other times also should be addressed. Keeping the patient NPO does not
,address the reason for the nausea and vomiting and will have an adverse effect on the patient's
nutrition. Administration of antiemetics is not the best choice for a patient with nausea caused
by pain. However, an antiemetic may be added later if the nausea persists despite pain
management.
Which item should the nurse offer to the patient who is to restart oral intake after being NPO
due to nausea and vomiting?
a. Glass of orange juice
b. Dish of lemon gelatin
c. Cup of coffee with cream
d. Bowl of hot chicken broth
ANS: B
Clear cool liquids are usually the first foods started after a patient has been nauseated. Acidic
foods such as orange juice, very hot foods, and coffee are poorly tolerated when patients have
been nauseated.
A 38-year old woman receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer develops a Candida albicans
oral infection. The nurse will anticipate the need for
a. hydrogen peroxide rinses.
b. the use of antiviral agents.
c. administration of nystatin tablets.
d. referral to a dentist for professional tooth cleaning.
ANS: C
Candida albicans infections are treated with an antifungal such as nystatin. Peroxide rinses
would be painful. Oral saltwater rinses may be used but will not cure the infection. Antiviral
agents are used for viral infections such as herpes simplex. Referral to a dentist is indicated for
gingivitis but not for Candida infection.
, Which finding in the mouth of a patient who uses smokeless tobacco is suggestive of oral
cancer?
a. Bleeding during tooth brushing
b. Painful blisters at the lip border
c. Red, velvety patches on the buccal mucosa
d. White, curdlike plaques on the posterior tongue
ANS: C
A red, velvety patch suggests erythroplasia, which has a high incidence (>50%) of progression to
squamous cell carcinoma. The other lesions are suggestive of acute processes (e.g., gingivitis,
oral candidiasis, herpes simplex).
Which information will the nurse include when teaching adults to decrease the risk for cancers
of the tongue and buccal mucosa?
a. Avoid use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
b. Use sunscreen when outside even on cloudy days.
c. Complete antibiotic courses used to treat throat infections.
d. Use antivirals to treat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
ANS: A
Tobacco use greatly increases the risk for oral cancer. Acute throat infections do not increase
the risk for oral cancer, although chronic irritation of the oral mucosa does increase risk. Sun
exposure does not increase the risk for cancers of the buccal mucosa. Human papillomavirus
(HPV) infection is associated with an increased risk, but HSV infection is not a risk factor for oral
cancer.
A patient who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experiencing increasing
discomfort. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that additional teaching about GERD
is needed?
