Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Anatomy and Pathophysiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with a history of chronic gastritis is undergoing an endoscopy.
The nurse knows that chronic inflammation of the stomach lining leads to the atrophy of which cells, resulting in pernicious anemia?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

G cells

Answer

Mucous neck cells

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with acute pancreatitis. The patient complains of severe, boring epigastric pain that radiates to the back. Which pathophysiological process is the primary cause of this intense pain?

Accepted Answer

Autodigestion of pancreatic tissue by activated enzymes

Answer

Obstruction of the common bile duct by a gallstone

Answer

Reflux of gastric acid into the pancreatic duct

Answer

Inflammation and swelling of the hepatic capsule

Question 3

Which of the following layers of the gastrointestinal wall is responsible for peristalsis and contains the myenteric plexus (Auerbach's plexus)?

Accepted Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Serosa

Question 4

A patient presents with steatorrhea (fatty stools), weight loss, and vitamin deficiencies. An intestinal biopsy reveals blunting of the villi in the duodenum. This finding is most characteristic of which GI disorder?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease

Answer

Ulcerative colitis

Answer

Crohn's disease

Answer

Diverticulitis

Question 5

The hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) plays a crucial role in digestion. Which of the following is a primary action of CCK?

Accepted Answer

Stimulating gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme release

Answer

Stimulating gastric acid secretion

Answer

Inhibiting all pancreatic secretions

Answer

Increasing the rate of gastric emptying

Question 6

A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is advised to avoid certain foods and lifestyle habits. The underlying pathophysiology of GERD involves the dysfunction of which anatomical structure?

Accepted Answer

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Upper esophageal sphincter

Answer

Diaphragmatic cruise