Physician Assistant Gastrointestinal and Nutrition 3

Question 1

A 35-year-old woman with chronic diarrhea, bloating, and a positive anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) IgA antibody most likely has which condition?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease

Answer

Elevated anti-tTG IgA is the most sensitive and specific serologic test for celiac disease.

Question 2

A 70-year-old man presents with painless jaundice, clay-colored stools, and dark urine. CT shows a mass in the head of the pancreas. Which additional finding would most support malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Palpable, non-tender gallbladder (Courvoisier's sign)

Answer

Courvoisier's sign — a palpable, non-tender gallbladder in the setting of painless jaundice — suggests malignant biliary obstruction.

Question 3

Which organism is most commonly responsible for traveler's diarrhea?

Accepted Answer

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)

Answer

ETEC is the leading cause of traveler's diarrhea, producing heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins that increase intestinal fluid secretion.

Question 4

A patient with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension develops confusion, asterixis, and elevated serum ammonia. Which treatment is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Lactulose

Answer

Lactulose acidifies the colon, trapping ammonia as ammonium (NH4+) and promoting its excretion, reducing serum ammonia in hepatic encephalopathy.

Question 5

Which type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted via the fecal-oral route and does NOT cause chronic disease?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis A

Answer

Hepatitis A is transmitted fecal-orally (contaminated food/water) and never leads to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Gastrointestinal and Nutrition 3