Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Anatomy and Pathophysiology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Portal hypertension in cirrhosis most commonly leads to which serious complication?
- Esophageal varices (Correct answer)
- Gastric ulcer
- Appendicitis
- Hiatal hernia
Correct answer: Esophageal varices
Increased portal pressure diverts blood into collateral vessels, producing esophageal varices prone to bleeding.
Question 2: Ascites in liver failure develops primarily due to:
- Increased gastric acid
- Portal hypertension and low albumin (Correct answer)
- Excess bile production
- Colonic obstruction
Correct answer: Portal hypertension and low albumin
Portal hypertension plus reduced oncotic pressure from low albumin causes fluid to accumulate in the peritoneum.
Question 3: Hepatic encephalopathy is largely attributed to the accumulation of which substance?
- Bilirubin
- Ammonia (Correct answer)
- Glucose
- Sodium
Correct answer: Ammonia
A failing liver cannot convert ammonia to urea, and elevated ammonia crosses into the brain.
Question 4: Diverticulitis is inflammation of outpouchings most commonly located in which structure?
- Duodenum
- Sigmoid colon (Correct answer)
- Stomach
- Terminal ileum
Correct answer: Sigmoid colon
Diverticula and diverticulitis occur most often in the sigmoid colon.
Question 5: A patient with acute pancreatitis classically presents with pain that:
- Radiates to the back (Correct answer)
- Is worse in the right shoulder
- Only occurs after fasting
- Improves with fatty meals
Correct answer: Radiates to the back
Acute pancreatitis causes epigastric pain that radiates to the back.
Question 6: Which lab elevation is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
- Serum lipase (Correct answer)
- Alkaline phosphatase
- Blood urea nitrogen
- Serum albumin
Correct answer: Serum lipase
Serum lipase is the most specific marker for acute pancreatitis.
Question 7: The appendix projects from which part of the GI tract?
- Ascending colon at the cecum (Correct answer)
- Sigmoid colon
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
Correct answer: Ascending colon at the cecum
The appendix is a blind pouch attached to the cecum at the start of the ascending colon.
Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Anatomy and Pathophysiology 5
Portal hypertension in cirrhosis most commonly leads to which serious complication?