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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

NCLEX GI Questions: Small Bowel Anatomy and Care Quiz

Quick, free GI nursing quiz on the small bowel. Instant results, brief explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jada NelsonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art GI NCLEX quiz on digestive and gastrointestinal disorders boosts exam confidence on coral background

Use this quiz to check your understanding of the small bowel for the GI NCLEX, from anatomy to nursing care and safety. You can keep practicing with our gi nursing quiz for broader GI topics, review liver complications with cirrhosis nclex questions, or brush up on imaging basics in the abdominal ultrasound quiz. Short explanations help you learn as you go.

What is the primary function of the small intestine's villi and microvilli?
They absorb nutrients and increase surface area
They store bile pigments
They produce digestive enzymes
They secrete hydrochloric acid
Villi and microvilli line the small intestine to dramatically increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption. They contain capillaries and lacteals that transport absorbed amino acids, monosaccharides, and fatty acids into circulation. This structural adaptation is key for efficient digestion and nutrient uptake. For more details, visit .
Which diagnostic test is most appropriate for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection?
Urea breath test
Stool culture for bacteria
Serum antibody titer
Upper GI barium swallow
The urea breath test is noninvasive and highly accurate for active H. pylori infection by detecting urease activity. It outperforms antibody titers in indicating current infection status because antibodies may persist after eradication. Stool antigen testing is also useful but less frequently used than the breath test. Learn more at .
What is the primary role of bile in digestion?
Emulsify fats to aid in their digestion
Absorb water-soluble vitamins
Digest proteins into amino acids
Neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine
Bile salts act as emulsifiers that break large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for pancreatic lipase action. This process is essential for efficient fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Bile does not directly digest proteins or neutralize acid. For more information, see .
Red-tinged emesis in a patient with known esophageal varices most likely indicates:
Bleeding peptic ulcer
Esophageal reflux injury
Mallory-Weiss tear
Hemorrhage from variceal rupture
Esophageal varices are dilated veins that develop in portal hypertension and can rupture, leading to significant upper GI bleeding. Bright red or coffee-ground emesis in such patients is highly suggestive of variceal hemorrhage. Mallory-Weiss tears and peptic ulcers also cause bleeding but are less likely in the presence of known varices. More details at .
Which position is most appropriate to reduce tension on abdominal incision lines after surgery?
Semi-Fowler's position
Supine flat
Prone
High-Fowler's position
Semi-Fowler's position (head of bed elevated 30 - 45 degrees) reduces strain on abdominal muscles and sutures, promotes lung expansion, and facilitates comfort. Supine flat can increase tension on the incision, while high-Fowler's may overextend the abdomen. Prone is contraindicated after abdominal surgery. See guidelines at .
Which symptom is most characteristic of ulcerative colitis?
Painless jaundice
Intermittent melena without pain
Steatorrhea
Bloody diarrhea with mucus
Ulcerative colitis involves continuous mucosal inflammation of the colon, commonly presenting with frequent, bloody stools containing mucus. Steatorrhea is more typical of malabsorption syndromes, and painless jaundice suggests biliary obstruction. Melena without pain is less characteristic of UC. For more, visit .
Which laboratory finding is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
Decreased amylase levels
Elevated serum lipase levels
Elevated bilirubin levels
Decreased leukocyte count
Serum lipase is more specific for pancreatitis than amylase because lipase remains elevated longer and is less likely to rise in other conditions. Amylase can be elevated in salivary gland disease or after abdominal surgery. Bilirubin and leukocyte changes are nonspecific. See review at .
A patient with acute cholecystitis should be advised to follow which diet?
High-protein, low-carbohydrate
Low-fat, high-carbohydrate
Pureed diet with dairy
High-fat, high-fiber
In acute cholecystitis, a low-fat diet reduces gallbladder stimulation and prevents biliary colic. High-carbohydrate foods provide energy without triggering bile release. High-fat diets exacerbate gallbladder contractions and pain. For patient education, see .
Which medication is first-line therapy for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Proton pump inhibitor (e.g., omeprazole)
Aluminum hydroxide antacid
Sucralfate
Misoprostol
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole effectively suppress gastric acid secretion and heal esophagitis in GERD. They are superior for long-term management compared to antacids or cytoprotective agents. Antacids provide short-term relief, and misoprostol is used for NSAID-induced ulcers. More at .
When initiating total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which nursing intervention is critical?
Measure abdominal girth daily
Record stool output each shift
Monitor blood glucose every 4 - 6 hours
Encourage increased oral fluids
TPN solutions are high in dextrose and can cause hyperglycemia; frequent blood glucose monitoring is essential. Abdominal girth measurement and stool output are not directly related to TPN administration. Oral fluids should be restricted or tailored according to overall fluid balance. See nursing guidelines at .
Which treatment is first-line for hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis?
Gentamicin
IV dextrose
Lactulose
Spironolactone
Lactulose acidifies the colon, converting ammonia to ammonium for excretion and reducing blood ammonia levels. It is the standard first-line therapy for hepatic encephalopathy. Spironolactone treats ascites, and gentamicin is an antibiotic not used for encephalopathy. Dextrose infusion can worsen ammonia production. More at .
In acute viral hepatitis, AST and ALT values typically:
Are lower than pre-infection levels
Show isolated ALT elevation only
Remain within normal limits
Rise above 1,000 IU/L
During acute viral hepatitis, hepatocellular injury releases large amounts of AST and ALT into the bloodstream, often exceeding 1,000 IU/L. Both enzymes rise significantly, although ALT is generally higher than AST. Normal or low values are not expected in acute injury. Detailed lab patterns are described at .
Which feature distinguishes Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis?
Transmural inflammation with skip lesions
Involvement limited to rectum
Pseudopolyps formation only
Continuous mucosal ulceration
Crohn's disease causes full-thickness (transmural) inflammation and can affect any part of the GI tract with skip areas of normal tissue. Ulcerative colitis causes continuous mucosal inflammation limited to the colon. Pseudopolyps can occur in UC, and rectal involvement alone describes proctitis. For more, see .
Which sign suggests postoperative paralytic ileus?
High-pitched tinkling sounds
Frequent, watery stools
Absent bowel sounds in all quadrants
Bradycardia and hypotension
Paralytic ileus is characterized by a temporary cessation of intestinal motility, leading to absent or very diminished bowel sounds. High-pitched tinkling suggests mechanical obstruction. Watery stools and vital sign changes are not specific for ileus. For nursing assessment details, visit .
Which rationale supports infusion of albumin after large-volume paracentesis in a cirrhotic patient with tense ascites?
Maintain intravascular oncotic pressure and prevent circulatory dysfunction
Reduce portal hypertension by decreasing liver blood flow
Increase urinary sodium excretion directly
Neutralize ascitic fluid ammonia content
After removing large volumes of ascitic fluid, intravascular volume can drop due to decreased oncotic pressure. Albumin infusion restores oncotic pressure, maintains circulatory stability, and prevents paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction. It does not directly affect sodium excretion or portal pressures. Read more at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Interpret GI Assessment Findings -

    Recognize and evaluate common signs, symptoms, and clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders to inform accurate nursing diagnoses.

  2. Analyze NCLEX-Style Question Strategies -

    Break down question stems and answer choices to identify key clues and apply effective test-taking techniques for gi nclex questions.

  3. Apply Nursing Interventions -

    Determine and prioritize evidence-based nursing interventions and patient education strategies for clients with digestive system complications.

  4. Differentiate Pathophysiology of GI Disorders -

    Distinguish between various gastrointestinal disease processes by understanding underlying mechanisms and their clinical implications.

  5. Evaluate Laboratory and Diagnostic Data -

    Interpret critical lab values and diagnostic test results relevant to gastrointestinal function to support clinical decision-making.

  6. Reinforce Core GI Concepts -

    Solidify foundational knowledge of gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to boost confidence and readiness for the nclex gi questions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. GI Anatomy & Physiology Mastery -

    Review the anatomy from mouth to anus, focusing on each organ's role - like the stomach's parietal cells secreting HCl for protein breakdown. Use a mnemonic such as "My Sexy Large Intestine Always Hangs In Car" (mouth, stomach, large intestine, appendix, hepatic flexure, ileum, cecum) to recall segments. This solid foundation helps you tackle gi nclex questions on motility and absorption with confidence.

  2. Critical Lab Values & Enzyme Functions -

    Learn normal ranges for amylase (30 - 110 U/L), lipase (0 - 160 U/L), and liver function tests to interpret abnormal findings in gastrointestinal nclex questions. Remember "ALP, ALT, AST" as the liver's primary markers and practice matching elevated patterns to hepatitis versus cholestatic disorders. Familiarity with these labs accelerates diagnosis and prioritization in nclex gi questions.

  3. Acid-Base Balance in GI Disorders -

    Understand how vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis and diarrhea causes metabolic acidosis by tracking H+ and HCO3 - shifts. Use the acronym "ROME" (Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal) to categorize ABG changes quickly. This strategy is indispensable when you face acid-base interpretation in digestive system nclex questions.

  4. Pharmacology: GI Medications & Mechanisms -

    Memorize key drug classes - PPIs (e.g., omeprazole), H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine), antacids, and antiemetics - along with their mechanisms and side effects. Create flashcards linking each drug to its action: "PPI = Pump's Permanent Inhibition." Applying this method ensures accuracy on gastrointestinal nclex questions about medication management.

  5. Nursing Interventions for Common GI Disorders -

    Compare Crohn's disease versus ulcerative colitis in terms of location, depth of inflammation, and extraintestinal symptoms. Practice writing care plans with interventions like fluid replacement for diabetic ketoacidosis-induced gastroparesis and tube-feeding protocols. Mastering these protocols boosts your speed and precision on digestive system nclex questions.

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