GI Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Disorders 3

Question 1

Which imaging modality is the first-line study for suspected acute cholecystitis?

Accepted Answer

Right upper quadrant ultrasound

Answer

Abdominal ultrasound is rapid, inexpensive, and radiation-free, with high sensitivity for gallstones and signs of cholecystitis (wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, sonographic Murphy's sign).

Question 2

Charcot's triad — fever, right upper quadrant pain, and jaundice — is the classic presentation of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Ascending cholangitis

Answer

Ascending cholangitis results from biliary obstruction with bacterial superinfection, producing Charcot's triad; the addition of hypotension and confusion forms Reynolds' pentad in severe cases.

Question 3

Which serum tumor marker is most commonly elevated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and used for monitoring treatment response?

Accepted Answer

CA 19-9

Answer

CA 19-9 is the primary serum marker used in pancreatic cancer; while not diagnostic alone, elevated levels support diagnosis and serial measurements track treatment response.

Question 4

What is the standard first-line pharmacologic treatment for autoimmune hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

Prednisone with or without azathioprine

Answer

Corticosteroids (prednisone) alone or combined with the steroid-sparing agent azathioprine achieve remission in the majority of autoimmune hepatitis patients.

Question 5

Which laboratory pattern is most characteristic of hereditary hemochromatosis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated serum ferritin and transferrin saturation >45%

Answer

Hemochromatosis causes progressive iron loading; elevated ferritin and transferrin saturation >45% are the hallmark screening findings, confirmed by HFE gene mutation testing.

Gastrointestinal GI Practice Practice Test

Gastrointestinal GI Practice Practice Test

GI Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Disorders 3