Log inStart free

Gastrointestinal MCQs for Nursing Exams

2,377 questions with explanations · 26 free to practise now.

Gastrointestinal questions for NORCET, RRB, ESIC, CHO and state nursing officer exams, split into 45 topics. Open a topic to read sample questions with answers, or start free practice. Every question comes with a simple-English explanation.

Start free practice: GastrointestinalSee Premium

Gastrointestinal topics

General 802Hepatitis 166Colostomy 115Pancreatitis 106Nasogastric Tube 95Gastrointestinal Disorders 84Total Parenteral Nutrition 84Cirrhosis 79Ulcerative Colitis 65Peptic Ulcer Disease 63Gastroesophageal Reflux 45Cholecystitis 44Appendicitis 43Diverticulitis 42Hiatal Hernia 40Ileostomy 40Nursing Care In Specialized Settings 39Infective Gastrointestinal Pathologies 38The Nursing Care Of Adults With Medical-Surgical Disorders 33Assessment Of Digestive And Gastrointestinal Function 27Intestinal Obstruction 25Gastrectomy 23The Client With A Sex Or Growth Hormone 23Colorectal Cancer 22Esophageal Varices 22Physiological Integrity 19Gastrointestinal Management 18Hypertension 17Assessment And Management Of Patients With Hepatic 16Digestive And Gastrointestinal Treatment Modalities 13Peritonitis 13The Client With Cholecystitis 12The Client With Cirrhosis 12Assessment And Management Of Patients With Biliary 11Postoperative Care 10Diagnostic Testing 9Antibiotic Therapy 8Fluid Volume Deficit 8Hypoglycemia 8The Client With Peptic Ulcer Disease 8Dehydration 6Hyperkalemia 6Medication Administration 6The Client With Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Health Problems 6The Client With Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Health Problems 6

Sample Gastrointestinal questions

Q1. A patient has advanced cirrhosis of the liver. The patient's spouse asks the nurse why the patient's abdomen is swollen, making it very difficult to fasten their pants. How should the nurse respond to provide the most accurate explanation of the disease process?

  1. "They must have been eating too many foods with salt in them. Salt pulls water with it."
  2. "Blood is not able to flow readily through the liver now, and the liver cannot make protein to keep fluid inside the blood vessels."
  3. "The patient must have forgotten to take their daily water pill."
  4. "The swelling in the ankles must have moved up closer to their heart so the fluid circulates better."
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. "Blood is not able to flow readily through the liver now, and the liver cannot make protein to keep fluid inside the blood vessels."

Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia as a result of cirrhosis cause a fluid shift into the peritoneal space causing ascites. In a cardiac or kidney problem, not cirrhosis, sodium can promote edema formation and subsequent decreased urine output. Edema does not migrate upward toward the heart to enhance its circulation. Although diuretics promote the excretion of excess fluid, occasionally forgetting or omitting a dose will not yield the ascites found in cirrhosis of the liver.

Q2. === PAGE 35 === A 55-year-old man is admitted to the hospital with complaints of fatigue, jaundice, anorexia, and clay-colored stools. His admitting diagnosis is "rule out hepatitis." Laboratory studies reveal elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. In obtaining his health history, the nurse should assess his potential for exposure to hepatitis. Which represents a high-risk group for contracting this disease?

  1. Heterosexual males
  2. Oncology nurses
  3. American Indians
  4. Jehovah's Witnesses
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Oncology nurses

(A) Homosexual males, not heterosexual males, are at high risk for contracting hepatitis. (B) Oncology nurses are employed in high-risk areas and perform invasive procedures that expose them to potential sources of infection. (C) The literature does not support the idea that any ethnic groups are at higher risk. (D) There is no evidence that any religious groups are at higher risk.

Q3. How many inches would the nurse insert a catheter into the stoma when performing a transverse colostomy irrigation?

  1. 5 cm (2 inches)
  2. 8 cm (3 inches)
  3. 15 cm (6 inches)
  4. 20 cm (8 inches)
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. 8 cm (3 inches)

Three inches is far enough to direct the flow of solution into the bowel. 1 Two inches is inadequate; fluid may leak back around the catheter. 3, 4 This may cause trauma to the mucosa.

Q4. The nurse is assessing the integumentary system of the patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Which finding supports the diagnosis?

  1. Sore tongue
  2. Thick body hair
  3. Preoccupation with calories
  4. Dry, brittle hair.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. Dry, brittle hair.

A. The preoccupation with food, calories, and preparing meals are psychosocial behaviors suggesting the patient has an eating disorder. B. Patients who have anorexia nervosa have thin, fine body hair. C. Iron-deficiency anemia causes patients to experience a sore tongue. D. Thin, brittle hair occurs in patients with anorexia.

Q5. Which position may reduce pain in a patient with acute pancreatitis?

  1. Trendelenburg
  2. Sitting up and leaning forward or fetal position
  3. Prone
  4. Supine and flat
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Sitting up and leaning forward or fetal position

Flexing the trunk reduces pressure on the pancreas and can relieve pain.

Practise Gastrointestinal freeSee Premium

More subjects

Fundamentals & AssessmentPharmacologyFluids, Labs & EmergencyMaternity & NewbornChild Health (Paediatrics)Mental HealthCommunity & Geriatric CareLeadership, Law & EthicsNutritionNORCET Previous YearsMixed Review

Frequently asked questions

Are the Gastrointestinal questions free?

A set of 26 questions is free to practise after you enter your name and mobile number (no OTP). The full set of 2,377 questions is in NurseRank Premium.

Is Gastrointestinal asked in NORCET and other nursing officer exams?

Nursing exams test the core nursing subjects, so this subject is useful for NORCET, RRB, ESIC, CHO and state exams. Check your exam's official syllabus for exact weightage.

Get the app