Pathophysiology Exam Study
Guide – Practice Questions
with Verified Answers. GRADED
A+. Latest 2026/2027 Update
____________ Ulcers - Main symptoms Indigestion, epigastric pain. Food
makes worse 1-2 hours after meal. Weight loss severe vomit with blood, looks
like coffee ground or bright red color - Answer✔✔-Gastric Ulcers
_____________ ulcers - food makes better (3-4 hrs after meal), waking at night
with pain, normal weight, severe tarry dark stools - Answer✔✔-Duodenal
1. In the stomach lining, the parietal cells release _________ and the chief cells
release __________ which both play a role in peptic ulcer disease.
A. pepsin, hydrochloric acid
B. pepsinogen, pepsin
C. pepsinogen, gastric acid
D. hydrochloric acid, and pepsinogen - Answer✔✔-D. hydrochloric acid, and
pepsinogen
,The answer is D. In the stomach lining, the parietal cells release
HYDROCHLORIC ACID and the chief cells release PEPSINOGEN which both plays
a role in peptic ulcer disease. Pepsinogen then mixes with the hydrochloric acid
and turns into pepsin.
6. The physician orders a patient with a duodenal ulcer to take a UREA breath
test. Which lab value will the test measure to determine if h. pylori is present?
A. Ammonia
B. Urea
C. Hydrochloric acid
D. Carbon dioxide - Answer✔✔-The answer is D. If h. pylori are present, the
bacteria will release urease which produces ammonia and carbon dioxide. For
the test, the patient will ingest a urea tablet and breath samples will be
analyzed for carbon dioxide levels.
7. A patient arrives to the clinic for evaluation of epigastric pain. The patient
describes the pain to be relieved by food intake. In addition, the patient reports
awaking in the middle of the night with a gnawing pain in the stomach. Based
on the patient's description this appears to be what type of peptic ulcer?
A. Duodenal
B. Gastric
C. Esophageal
D. Refractory - Answer✔✔-The answer is A. The patient signs and symptoms
describe a duodenal ulcer. Gastric ulcer tend to not cause pain in the middle of
the night and epigastric pain in worst with food.
, 8. A patient with chronic peptic ulcer disease underwent a gastric resection 1
month ago and is reporting nausea, bloating, and diarrhea 30 minutes after
eating. What condition is this patient most likely experiencing?
A. Gastroparesis
B. Fascia dehiscence
C. Dumping Syndrome
D. Somogyi effect - Answer✔✔-The answer is C. After a gastric resection the
stomach is not able to regulate the movement of food due to the removal of
sections of the stomach (usually the pyloric valve and duodenum). Therefore,
the food enters into the small intestine too fast before the stomach can finish
digesting it. The partially digested food will act hypertonically and cause water
from the blood to enter jejunum. This will cause a fluid shift leading to bowel
swelling, diarrhea, and nausea etc.
9. 8. A patient with chronic peptic ulcer disease underwent a gastric resection 1
month ago and is reporting nausea, bloating, and diarrhea 30 minutes after
eating. select ALL the correct statements on how to educate this patient about
decreasing their symptoms:
A. "It is best to eat 3 large meals a day rather than small frequent meals."
B. "After eating a meal lie down for 30 minutes."
C. "Eat a diet high in protein, fiber, and low in carbs."
D. "Be sure to drink at least 16 oz. of milk with meals."
The answers are B and C. The patient in question 8 is exhibiting signs and
symptoms of dumping syndrome. The patient should eat small but frequent
meals (NOT 3 large meals a day), lie down for 30 minutes after meals, avoid