Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gastrointestinal and Nutrition flashcards as text
A 62-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis develops sudden onset, large-volume hematemesis. Endoscopy reveals actively bleeding esophageal varices. Which pharmacologic agent should be initiated immediately?
Answer: Octreotide
Octreotide (somatostatin analogue) reduces splanchnic blood flow and portal pressure and is the preferred pharmacologic agent for acute variceal bleeding.
A 50-year-old woman presents with chronic watery diarrhea, episodic flushing, and wheezing. Urine 5-HIAA levels are elevated. Where is this tumor most likely located?
Answer: Appendix or terminal ileum
Carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhea, wheezing) with elevated 5-HIAA is most commonly caused by carcinoid tumors of the appendix or terminal ileum with hepatic metastases.
A 45-year-old woman presents with iron deficiency anemia and a positive fecal occult blood test. Which is the most appropriate next diagnostic step?
Answer: Both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy
In a patient with FOBT-positive iron deficiency anemia, bidirectional endoscopy (both upper and lower) is recommended to identify the source of occult GI bleeding.
Which dietary modification is the first-line treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?
Answer: Low-fat, low-calorie diet with weight loss of 7–10%
A sustained weight loss of 7–10% through caloric restriction improves hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in NAFLD.
A 30-year-old woman is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with predominant constipation. Which dietary intervention has the strongest evidence for improving her symptoms?
Answer: Low FODMAP diet
The low FODMAP diet reduces fermentable carbohydrates that cause osmotic diarrhea and gas production, and has the strongest evidence for symptom relief in IBS.
A newborn presents with bilious vomiting, abdominal distension, and failure to pass meconium within 48 hours. Rectal suction biopsy shows absence of ganglion cells. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Hirschsprung's disease
Hirschsprung's disease results from failed neural crest cell migration, causing an aganglionic segment of colon that cannot relax, leading to functional obstruction.
A 68-year-old man with a history of smoking and alcohol use presents with chronic epigastric pain radiating to the back, steatorrhea, and new-onset diabetes. CT shows pancreatic calcifications. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic calcifications on CT with steatorrhea (exocrine insufficiency) and diabetes (endocrine insufficiency) in a patient with chronic alcohol use is classic chronic pancreatitis.