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DHA Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Nursing Practice Questions
GI questions cover bleeding, obstruction, liver disease and nutrition, with a strong focus on spotting complications early. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- GI bleeding signs
- Bowel obstruction and appendicitis
- Cirrhosis, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy
- Hepatitis transmission and prevention
- Pancreatitis and cholecystitis
- Stoma care and nutrition
The full bank has 70 gastrointestinal & hepatic nursing questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA gastrointestinal & hepatic nursing questions
1. Which organism is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease?
- A. Escherichia coli
- B. Helicobacter pylori
- C. Staphylococcus aureus
- D. Clostridioides difficile
Show answer and rationale
H. pylori infection is a leading cause of peptic ulcers, along with NSAID use. It is treated with eradication therapy combining a proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – peptic ulcer disease
2. Which pain pattern is typical of acute pancreatitis?
- A. Right lower quadrant pain relieved by walking
- B. Pain relieved by lying flat on the back
- C. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, often eased by sitting forward
- D. Cramping lower abdominal pain relieved by defecation
Show answer and rationale
Acute pancreatitis causes severe epigastric or left upper quadrant pain radiating to the back, often worse lying flat and eased by sitting up and leaning forward.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – pancreatitis
3. A patient who had a partial gastrectomy has sweating, dizziness, palpitations and cramping diarrhoea soon after meals. Which dietary advice should the nurse give?
- A. Eat small, frequent meals, avoid drinking with meals and limit simple sugars
- B. Eat three large high-carbohydrate meals each day
- C. Drink plenty of fluid with each meal to dilute the food
- D. Walk briskly for 30 minutes straight after each meal
Show answer and rationale
These are symptoms of dumping syndrome, caused by rapid emptying of concentrated food into the small intestine. Small, dry meals low in simple sugars and higher in protein and fat, with fluids between meals, reduce symptoms; lying down briefly after eating also helps.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – dumping syndrome
4. Which is a common gastrointestinal complication of enteral tube feeding that may be related to the feed rate or formula?
- A. Hyperactive thyroid
- B. Pleural effusion
- C. Diarrhoea
- D. Hypoglycaemia in every patient
Show answer and rationale
Diarrhoea is common with enteral feeding and can be related to feed rate, osmolality, contamination or concurrent medications such as antibiotics. Other causes, including C. difficile, should be considered.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – enteral nutrition
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient most at risk of after prolonged vomiting or nasogastric suction?
- A. Hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis
- B. Hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis
- C. Hypernatraemia and respiratory acidosis
- D. Hypercalcaemia and metabolic acidosis
Show answer and rationale
Loss of gastric acid and potassium through vomiting or NG suction causes metabolic alkalosis and hypokalaemia. Electrolytes should be monitored and replaced.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Study tip
Signs of shock in a GI patient (rising heart rate, falling blood pressure) point to bleeding and need escalation.
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