Gastrointestinal NCLEX Questions

Gastrointestinal NCLEX Questions

• The test will take approximately 60 minutes - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test is

scheduled. What should be included in the information provided to the patient?A .The test will take approximately 60 minutes.

• The patient will have an intravenous (IV) line started prior to the test.
• Solid foods are restricted for 6 to 8 hours prior to the test.
• There is only a limited amount of radiation exposure associated with the test.

• Increase fiber intake - The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who reports continued

problems with constipation. What intervention can be implemented to promote timely bowel movements?

• Increase fiber intake.
• Limit fluid intake to 1500 mL daily.
• Administration of an oil retention enema weekly.
• Take a mild over-the-counter laxative each evening.

• Ginger - A patient questions the use of herbal remedies to manage motion sickness on an

upcoming trip. Which has been used with success to manage this health complaint?

• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Ginseng
• Goldenrod

• Bile is not reaching the intestines - The nurse is assessing the stooling patterns of an assigned

patient. The patient reports stools as being clay colored. The nurse knows this may indicate which condition?A.Bile is not reaching the intestines.

• The stool contains undigested fat.
• The stool has an excessive amount of bilirubin.
• The patient is experiencing upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.

• Suggesting to the patient's family members that someone join the patient for meals. - An

elderly patient reports a loss of interest in eating. The patient's history indicates the patient's spouse died a few months ago. When providing information to the patient, which action by the nurse is likely to be most helpful in increasing the patient's intake?

• Having the patient keep a food diary.
• Giving the patient a list of high-calorie foods.
• Reminding the patient of the importance of eating.
• Suggesting to the patient's family members that someone join the patient for meals.

• "Do not eat red meat for at least 3 days before collecting the specimen." - A patient is to

collect a specimen for a stool guaiac test. Which direction should the patient be given?

• "Be sure to use a sterile container to collect the specimen."
• "Be sure to take a laxative 2 days prior to collecting the stool."

• "Do not eat red meat for at least 3 days before collecting the specimen."
• "Do not drink carbonated beverages for 8 hours before collecting the specimen."

• "I will not be able to drink fluids that contain any caffeine." - The nurse is caring for a patient

who is preparing for discharge after having had an upper GI series. Which patient statement demonstrates a need for further discharge instruction?

• "I'll take a laxative."
• "I'll drink lots of water."
• "I can expect my stool to be white for up to 3 days."
• "I will not be able to drink fluids that contain any caffeine."

• Dehydration - The older adult patient presents to the emergency department complaining of

severe vomiting for 3 days. The nurse knows which is the major complication of continuous vomiting?

• Weight loss
• Cardiac dysrhythmias
• Aspiration of vomitus
• Dehydration

• Dietary history
• Pattern of anorexia
• Factors that cause vomiting - A patient is admitted with anorexia, nausea and vomiting, and

weight loss. When developing the plan of care, which information is a priority to be obtained?(Select all that apply.)

• Ability to cook own food
• Cultural preferences for food
• Dietary history
• Pattern of anorexia
• Factors that cause vomiting

• Encourage ambulation

C.Trendelenburg position - A patient reports discomfort from flatus after surgery. What action(s) can be suggested by the nurse to help to relieve the flatus buildup? (Select all that apply.)

• Drink hot coffee
• Encourage ambulation

C.Trendelenburg position

• Drink chilled carbonated beverages
• Encourage bed rest until the pain subsides

• Hamburger, peas, and cola - A 56-year-old man is admitted with a diagnosis of

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The nurse anticipates the patient to report gastroesophageal discomfort after which meal?

• Hamburger, peas, and cola
• Turkey, salad, and a glass of red wine
• Chicken in lemon sauce, rice, and fruit juice

• Poached salmon, mashed potatoes, and milk

• Luncheon meats ("cold cuts") - A patient has been diagnosed with gastric cancer. What is

associated with increased incidence of this disease?

• Refined sugars
• Dairy products
• Carbonated beverages
• Luncheon meats ("cold cuts")

• Nutritional deficiencies - The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing stomatitis. Which

factor is most likely to have contributed to development of stomatitis?

• Morbid obesity
• Vegetarian diet
• Good oral hygiene
• Nutritional deficiencies

• "I really like tequila." - Which statement made by a patient might indicate a precipitating

factor of acute gastritis?

• "I really like tequila."
• "I never touch alcohol."
• "I just started a new diet."
• "I try to get in a 2-mile walk every day."

• Ranitidine - A patient has been diagnosed with gastritis. Which medication can the nurse

anticipate will be prescribed?

• Aspirin
• Carafate
• Ampicillin
• Ranitidine

• Observing conditions under which the patient experiences difficulty swallowing - The

specific cause of dysphagia can be determined more easily when the LPN/LVN obtains which information about the patient?

• Patient's vital signs, especially rate and depth
• Level of physical activity tolerated by the patient
• Patient's bowel habits and whether laxatives are taken habitually
• Observing conditions under which the patient experiences difficulty swallowing

• A form of intravenous (IV) feeding - The nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient who

recently underwent a total gastrectomy and notes the patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The nurse understands which information about TPN?

• A form of intravenous (IV) feeding
• A type of intestinal decompression
• A new method of tube-feeding a patient with dysphagia
• A method of feeding a patient through a tube inserted through an incision in the stomach

• Obtain complete vital signs. - A patient has been admitted to the hospital with GI bleeding.

Which is a priority nursing action for this patient?

• Obtain complete vital signs.
• Administer prescribed medication for pain.
• Administer prescribed antacids every 2 hours.
• Administer prescribed medication for nausea and vomiting

• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Obstructive sleep apnea - The nurse is providing education to a patient with a body mass

index (BMI) of 42. The nurse should educate the patient about which conditions for which he is at risk? (Select all that apply.)

• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

• Iron
• Calcium
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B12 - The nurse is providing discharge education to a patient after a roux-en-Y

gastric bypass procedure. Which nutritional supplements must this patient take for the rest of his life? (Select all that apply.)

• Iron
• Calcium
• Folic acid
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12

A."Do not take enteric-coated tablets." - Patients with ileostomies should be given which instruction?A."Do not take enteric-coated tablets."

• "Increase your intake of dried fruits."
• "Add more high-fiber foods to your diet."
• "If you notice a blockage, take a laxative."

• Gain control over the time elimination occurs - A patient with a sigmoid colostomy is taught

to irrigate her colostomy daily to accomplish which goal?

• Prevent infection
• Keep the bowel sterile
• Increase the diameter of the bowel
• Gain control over the time elimination occurs