Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Anatomy and Pathophysiology 5

Question 1

Portal hypertension in cirrhosis most commonly leads to which serious complication?

Accepted Answer

Esophageal varices

Answer

Increased portal pressure diverts blood into collateral vessels, producing esophageal varices prone to bleeding.

Question 2

Ascites in liver failure develops primarily due to:

Accepted Answer

Portal hypertension and low albumin

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Ammonia

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Sigmoid colon

Answer

Diverticula and diverticulitis occur most often in the sigmoid colon.

Question 5

A patient with acute pancreatitis classically presents with pain that:

Accepted Answer

Radiates to the back

Answer

Acute pancreatitis causes epigastric pain that radiates to the back.

Certified Gastroenterology RN Practice Test