NCLEX GI Questions

A patient has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the patient in the immediate postoperative period for which most frequent complication of this type of surgery?

The correct answer is: Fluid and electrolyte imbalance

Atropine 0.6 mg I.M. is ordered for the patient having abdominal surgery. The patient asks the nurse why this drug must be administered. How should the nurse respond?

The correct answer is: "Atropine decreases salivation and gastric secretions."

A patient with peptic ulcer is about to begin a therapeutic regime that includes a bland diet, antacids, and famotidine (Pepcid). Before the patient is discharged, the nurse should provide which instruction?

The correct answer is: "Avoid aspirin and products that contain aspirin."

To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a patient with hiatal hernia, the nurse should provide which patient teaching?

The correct answer is: "Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages."

What statement by the patient indicates understanding about the medication sucralfate?

The correct answer is: "Sucralfate creates a protective coating on my stomach lining."

The nurse is teaching a patient with ulcerative colitis about dietary management of the disease during periods of inflammation. What foods should the nurse recommend during this time?

The correct answer is: White rice and pasta

A patient is admitted to the health care facility with a diagnosis of bleeding gastric ulcer. The nurse expects that the stool will have which characteristic?

The correct answer is: black and tarry

A patient is recovering from an ileostomy that was performed to treat inflammatory bowel disease. What should be included in patient discharge teaching?

The correct answer is: increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of chronic gastritis. When assessing the nutritional status, the nurse should expect which deficiency?

The correct answer is: vitamin B-12

The nurse is planning to teach a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) about management of the condition. Which should the nurse recommend? (Select all that apply).

The correct answers are: Avoid any foods that cause discomfort., Avoid eating close to bedtime., Elevate the head of bed when sleeping., Eat small more frequent meals.

A patient with hiatal hernia chronically experiences heartburn following meals. The nurse should include which recommendations in patient teaching? (Select all that Apply)

The correct answers are: Consume small, frequent, bland meals, Raise the head of the bed on 6-inch blocks, Consider taking H2-receptor antagonist medication, Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing.

The nurse is assessing a patient who has been admitted with the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction. The nurse should assess the patient for which potential findings? (Select all that apply)

The correct answers are: Nausea and vomiting., Dry mucous membranes., Decreased blood pressure.

A patient with gastroenteritis is admitted to the hospital. Which does the nurse correlate with a complication of this condition?

The correct answer is: Concentrated urine

A patient is resuming a diet after a partial gastrectomy procedure. To minimize complications from eating, which teaching does the nurse recommend?

The correct answer is: Don't drink with meals.

A nurse is giving instructions to a patient with peptic ulcer disease about symptom management. Which instruction will the nurse provide?

The correct answer is: Limit intake of fried and spicy foods.

The nurse has taught the patient about an upcoming endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure. The nurse determines that the patient needs further information if they makes which statement?

The correct answer is: "I'll be able to drive home once I am fully awake."

A nurse teaches a preoperative patient about the nasogastric (NG) tube that will be inserted in preparation for surgery. The nurse determines that the patient understands when the tube will be removed in the postoperative period when the patient makes which statement?

The correct answer is: "When my bowels wake up and I begin to pass gas."

A patient has had removal of a colon polyp. Which statement made by the patient indicates that post procedure teaching was effective?

The correct answer is: "I need to follow up with my doctor because most colon cancers start as polyps."

A nurse notes that the infusion bag of a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has become empty. The nurse calls the pharmacy, but the next bag will not be delivered for another 30 minutes. The nurse hangs which of the following solutions until the TPN arrives?

The correct answer is: 10% dextrose in water

A patient has returned to the unit after a colon resection with formation of a transverse colostomy. What assessment finding should be reported immediately to the surgeon?

The correct answer is: A colostomy stoma that has a dark red and purple color.

Which patient would the nurse identify as being at risk for developing gastritis or a peptic ulcer?

The correct answer is: A patient taking aspirin daily for arthritis pain.

The nurse is monitoring a patient with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer. Which assessment finding does the nurse associate with development of a complication?

The correct answer is: A rigid, boardlike abdomen

A nurse caring for a patient with small-bowel obstruction should plan to implement which nursing intervention first?

The correct answer is: Administering intravenous fluids

The nurse is teaching a patient about the risk factors associated with colorectal cancer. The nurse determines that further teaching is neccessary related to colorectal cancer if the patient identifies which item as an associated risk factor?

The correct answer is: Age younger than 50 years

A patient with a hiatal hernia asks the nurse about having juice with breakfast. Which will the nurse recommend?

The correct answer is: Apple juice

A patient with GERD has returned to the recovery area after an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and is requesting a drink of water. Which does the nurse consider a priority action?

The correct answer is: Assessing for the return of the gag reflex

A patient recovering from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is complaining of pain between the shoulder blades. What would be the most appropriate nursing intervention?

The correct answer is: Assist the patient to ambulate in the hall.

The physician has ordered three stool specimens for occult blood testing for a patient who complains of blood-streaked stools and a 10-pound weight loss in 1 month. What instructions should the nurse give a patient on how to complete the test?

The correct answer is: Avoid eating red meat for a few days prior to collecting a sample.

A patient has been started on medication therapy with metoclopramide (Reglan) for ileus. Which assessment will the nurse utilize to evaluate therapeutic benefit of the medication?

The correct answer is: Bowel sounds and flatus

A gastrectomy is performed on a patient with gastric cancer. In the immediate postoperative period, the nurse notes blood tinged drainage from the nasogastric tube. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

The correct answer is: Continue to monitor the drainage.

A nurse is preparing to administer a feeding to a patient receiving enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube. The nurse takes which most important action before administering the feeding?

The correct answer is: Determining tube placement

During clindamycin (Cleocin) therapy, the nurse will report which finding as evidence of a potential adverse drug reaction?

The correct answer is: Diarrhea.

A patient who undergoes a gastric resection is at risk for developing dumping syndrome. The nurse should monitor the patient for which assessment alteration?

The correct answer is: Dizziness

A patient has been prescribed metronidazole for diverticulitis. What instruction should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient taking this medication?

The correct answer is: Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.

A nurse is educating a group of people about colon cancer. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan as primary prevention for this disease?

The correct answer is: Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, minimize intake of red meat.

A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central venous intravenous (IV) line is scheduled to receive an antibiotic by the IV route. Which action by the nurse is appropriate before hanging the antibiotic solution?

The correct answer is: Ensure a separate IV access for the antibiotic

A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent tube feeding through a nasogastric tube. The nurse checks gastric residual for which reason?

The correct answer is: Evaluate absorption of the last feeding

What should the nurse use as an appropriate explanation as to why a patient with acute gastritis would be taking famotidine 40 mg PO twice a day?

The correct answer is: Famotadine blocks the secretion of gastric hydrochloric acid.

A nurse is monitoring drainage from a nasogastric (NG) tube in a patient who had a gastric resection. No drainage is noted during the past 4 hours, and the patient complains of severe nausea. Which is the most appropriate initial nursing action?

The correct answer is: Gently irrigate the tube

A patient has not eaten or had anything to drink for 4 hours following two episodes of nausea and vomiting. Which of the following items would be best to offer the patient who is ready to try resuming oral intake?

The correct answer is: Ginger ale

A patient has been taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for 4 weeks. The ambulatory care nurse evaluates that the patient is receiving the optimal intended effect of the medication if the patient reports the absence of which symptom?

The correct answer is: Heartburn

The nurse is interviewing a patient in the clinic being treated for an aggressive H. Pylori infection. Which finding should the nurse report to the health care provider?

The correct answer is: Increased fatigue and recent weight loss.

A nurse is assessing a patient who complains of abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. When examining the abdomen, which sequence should the nurse use?

The correct answer is: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient following gastrectomy and should instruct the patient to take which measure to assist in managing dumping syndrome?

The correct answer is: Limit the fluids taken with meals.

A patient has just undergone an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series with barium contrast. The nurse provides which of the following upon the patient's return to the unit as an important part of routine post-procedure care?

The correct answer is: Mild laxative

The nurse is reviewing the record of a patient with Crohn's disease. Which elimination characteristic should the nurse expect to note documented in the patient's record?

The correct answer is: Multiple loose stools daily.

A patient has a PRN prescription for ondansetron (Zofran). For which condition should the nurse administer this medication to the postoperative patient?

The correct answer is: Nausea and vomiting

A nurse is caring for a patient with active upper GI bleeding. What is the appropriate diet for this patient?

The correct answer is: Nothing by mouth

A patient arrives at the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and is in moderate distress. What is the priority nursing action?

The correct answer is: Obtain a complete set of vital signs.

The nurse has inserted a nasointestinal tube into a patient. Following insertion, the nurse tells the patient to lie in which position to help the tube advance into the duodenum, past the pyloric sphincter?

The correct answer is: On the right side

The nurse is doing an admission assessment on a patient with a history of duodenal ulcer. The nurse should anticipates which assessment alteration?

The correct answer is: Pain relieved by food intake

The nurse is teaching a patient with an H. Pylori infection about dietary measures to prevent gastric cancer. Which Food will the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?

The correct answer is: Processed meats.

A patient has had an esophagectomy with extensive removal of mediastinal lymph nodes. What assessment findings would alert the nurse to the development of complications related to this surgery?

The correct answer is: Pulmonary crackles and shortness of breath.

The nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing an acute episode of cholecystitis. Where should the nurse anticipate the location of the pain?

The correct answer is: Right upper quadrant, radiating to the back and shoulder

A nurse is caring for a patient receiving bolus feedings via a nasogastric tube. The nurse places the patient in which position to administer the feeding?

The correct answer is: Semi-Fowler's to Fowler's

A nurse is monitoring the nutritional status of the patient receiving enteral nutrition because of dysphagia that resulted from a head injury. The nurse monitors which of the following to best determine the effectiveness of the feedings for this patient?

The correct answer is: Serum protein level

The nurse is assessing the colostomy of a patient who has had an abdominal perineal resection for a bowel tumor. Which assessment finding indicates that the colostomy is beginning to function?

The correct answer is: The passage of flatus

A patient had a new colostomy created 2 days earlier and is beginning to pass malodorous flatus from the stoma. What is the correct interpretation by the nurse?

The correct answer is: This is a normal, expected event.

Which does the nurse identify as the most significant risk factors for the development of oral cancer?

The correct answer is: Tobacco and alcohol use.

A nurse performing an initial admission assessment notes that a patient has been taking metoclopramide (Reglan). Which finding would the nurse report to the health care provider as a potential adverse drug effect?

The correct answer is: Uncontrolled body movements

A nurse is performing an assessment on a patient with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse understands that which data are unrelated to the patient's disorder?

The correct answer is: Use of acetaminophen (Tylenol)

A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a patient. The nurse determines that which finding should be reported to the health care provider?

The correct answer is: Vascular sounds in the right lower quadrant.

The nurse has been assigned to care for a patient with a gastric ulcer. When the nurse is assessing the patient, which data would require immediate intervention?

The correct answer is: Vomiting of gastric contents mixed with bright red blood.

The nurse is caring for a patient who has clostridium difficile. What nursing interventions should the nurse expect to implement? (Select all that apply)

The correct answers are: Provide perineal skin care., Place the patient on contact precautions., Monitor urine output, skin turgor and mucous membranes.

The nurse is caring for a patient who has had an esophagectomy. Which actions should the nurse take when feeding the patient? (Select all that Apply)

Your answer is incorrect. The correct answers are: Thicken all liquids., Provide several small meals., Provide soft foods.