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SNLE 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 Saudi Nursing Licensure Exam (SNLE), 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 SNLE gastrointestinal & hepatic nursing questions
1. Which method is recommended to confirm initial placement of a nasogastric feeding tube before first use?
- A. Auscultating air injected into the tube
- B. Placing the end of the tube in water to look for bubbles
- C. Asking the patient if the tube feels comfortable
- D. Radiographic (X-ray) confirmation
Show answer and rationale
X-ray is the gold standard for confirming initial placement of a feeding tube; aspirate pH testing (typically pH 5.5 or below) is a recognised bedside check. The 'whoosh' (auscultation) test and bubble test are unreliable and should not be used.
Reference: NPSA / ASPEN – nasogastric tube placement
2. A patient with Crohn's disease is receiving long-term corticosteroids. Which teaching point is most important?
- A. Do not stop the medication suddenly
- B. Take the medication on an empty stomach
- C. Increase intake of foods high in sodium
- D. Stop the medication once diarrhoea settles
Show answer and rationale
Stopping long-term corticosteroids abruptly can cause adrenal insufficiency, so they must be tapered as prescribed. They should be taken with food to reduce gastric irritation.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – corticosteroids
3. Which is the most useful daily measurement to monitor changes in ascites?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Daily weight and abdominal girth measured at the same place
- C. Temperature
- D. Pulse oximetry
Show answer and rationale
Daily weight (same time, same scales) and abdominal girth measured at a marked point show fluid accumulation or loss. Blood pressure and temperature do not reflect ascites.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – cirrhosis
4. Which medication should a patient with peptic ulcer disease be advised to avoid?
- A. Paracetamol
- B. Omeprazole
- C. Sucralfate
- D. Ibuprofen
Show answer and rationale
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen inhibit protective prostaglandins in the gastric mucosa and increase ulcer and bleeding risk. Paracetamol is the preferred simple analgesic.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – NSAIDs
5. Which factor can precipitate hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with cirrhosis?
- A. Gastrointestinal bleeding
- B. Regular lactulose use
- C. Adequate fluid intake
- D. Daily weighing
Show answer and rationale
Blood in the GI tract is digested into protein, raising ammonia levels. Other precipitants include infection, constipation, sedatives, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – hepatic encephalopathy
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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