1 | Page
Pathophysiology NU545 Unit 6 Questions
and Answers
What protects the stomach? (p1288)
Ans: Supporting structures: mesentery, peritoneum, and omentum.
The interior is lined with mucosa which sits in folds called rugae when it
is empty. (p1290)
gut microbiome (p1285)
Mucus forms a protective barrier against acid and proteolytic enzymes
which would damage the gastric lining (p1293)
Causes of pyloric stenosis (p1326)
Ans: Caused by peptic ulcer disease, carcinoma, duodenal ulcers
Infantile: narrowing and distal obstruction of the pylorus and a common
cause of vomiting after a meal (postprandial), most common cause of
intestinal obstruction in infancy. Unknown etiology.
Bottle feeding, young maternal age, maternal smoking, and erythromycin
administration in first 2 weeks of life are associated.
Understand the process of digestion (p1285)
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, 2 | Page
Ans: 1. ingestion of food
2. propulsion of food and wastes from the mouth to the anus
3. secretion of mucus, water, and enzymes
4. mechanical digestion of food particles
5. chemical digestion of food particles
6. absorption of digested food
7. elimination of waste products
8. immune and microbial protection against infection
Know dumping syndrome; pathophysiology, etiology, prevention,
clinical manifestations, diagnostics, treatment and complications
(p1334)
Ans: rapid emptying of hypertonic chyme from the surgically created
residual stomach (after resection) into the small intestine 10 to 20
minutes after eating; cramping, nausea, vomiting, osmotic diarrhea,
hypotension, weakness, and pallor.
Late dumping occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating a high carb meal and is
related to hyperinsulinemia with hypoglycemia; weakness, diaphoresis,
confusion. Respond to dietary management, eat small frequent meals
high in protein and low in carbs.
Saliva: what prevents tooth decay, immunoglobulin content
(p1286)
Ans: consists mostly of water with varying amounts of mucus, sodium,
bicarbonate, chloride, potassium, and salivary alpha amylase (ptyalin; an
enzyme that initiates carb digestion)
the composition depends on rate of secretion
aldosterone can increase epithelial exchange
also contains mucin, IgA and other antimicrobial substances
mucin provides lubrication
exogenous fluoride provides protection against tooth decay.
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, 3 | Page
Know hepatitis; pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations,
diagnostics, treatment, complications (p1392)
Ans: inflammation of the liver
can lead to cirrhosis, cancer or death
Etiology: toxic substances and viral, infections and autoimmune diseases
Hep A (fecal/oral); incubation is 28 days; children younger than 6 do not
have symptoms (70%). N/V/D
Hep B (blood); risk factors are infants, immigrants, drugs or unprotected
sex
Hep C (from mother to baby)
Hep D (can only occur if Hep B is present)
Chronic Hep (B and C are main causes); malaise, anorexia, fever, GI
bleeding, hepatomegaly, edema, joint pain
Know different types of diarrhea and causes (p1320) (p1335)
(p1390)
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, 4 | Page
Ans: Loose, watery stools and may be acute, persistent, or chronic. 3 or
more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequent than normal.
1. osmotic: nonabsorbable substance in the intestine draws excess water
into the lumen of the intestine by osmosis and increases stool weight
and volume.
2. secretory: excessive mucosal secretions of chloride or bicarbonate rich
fluid or overall inhibition of net sodium absorption. Viruses, bacterial
enterotoxins, exotoxins.
3. motile: excessive motility decreases transit time and the opportunity
for fluid absorption caused by resection of small intestine etc.
Complications of diarrhea in children (p1320)
Ans: Can have high rates of morbidity and mortality in children younger
than 5 years old, especially in developing countries. Second leading
cause of death in children younger than 5.
Know meconium ileus - what is it associated with (p1380)
Ans: intestinal obstruction in the neonatal period caused by meconium
formed in utero that is abnormally thick and sticky which leads to a
partial or complete obstruction at the level of the terminal ileum.
Simple and complex
Know intestinal obstruction; pathophysiology, etiology,
prevention, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, treatment and
complications (p1326)
Ans: Caused by any condition that prevents the normal flow of chyme
through the intestinal lumen; in small or large intestines
Know bilirubin, what is it? What is the bilirubin cycle? (p1306)
Ans: byproduct of the destruction of aged red blood cells, gives bile a
greenish black color and yellow tinge of jaundice
Know Kupffer cells and their function (p1304-1306)
© 2025 All rights reserved
Pathophysiology NU545 Unit 6 Questions
and Answers
What protects the stomach? (p1288)
Ans: Supporting structures: mesentery, peritoneum, and omentum.
The interior is lined with mucosa which sits in folds called rugae when it
is empty. (p1290)
gut microbiome (p1285)
Mucus forms a protective barrier against acid and proteolytic enzymes
which would damage the gastric lining (p1293)
Causes of pyloric stenosis (p1326)
Ans: Caused by peptic ulcer disease, carcinoma, duodenal ulcers
Infantile: narrowing and distal obstruction of the pylorus and a common
cause of vomiting after a meal (postprandial), most common cause of
intestinal obstruction in infancy. Unknown etiology.
Bottle feeding, young maternal age, maternal smoking, and erythromycin
administration in first 2 weeks of life are associated.
Understand the process of digestion (p1285)
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Ans: 1. ingestion of food
2. propulsion of food and wastes from the mouth to the anus
3. secretion of mucus, water, and enzymes
4. mechanical digestion of food particles
5. chemical digestion of food particles
6. absorption of digested food
7. elimination of waste products
8. immune and microbial protection against infection
Know dumping syndrome; pathophysiology, etiology, prevention,
clinical manifestations, diagnostics, treatment and complications
(p1334)
Ans: rapid emptying of hypertonic chyme from the surgically created
residual stomach (after resection) into the small intestine 10 to 20
minutes after eating; cramping, nausea, vomiting, osmotic diarrhea,
hypotension, weakness, and pallor.
Late dumping occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating a high carb meal and is
related to hyperinsulinemia with hypoglycemia; weakness, diaphoresis,
confusion. Respond to dietary management, eat small frequent meals
high in protein and low in carbs.
Saliva: what prevents tooth decay, immunoglobulin content
(p1286)
Ans: consists mostly of water with varying amounts of mucus, sodium,
bicarbonate, chloride, potassium, and salivary alpha amylase (ptyalin; an
enzyme that initiates carb digestion)
the composition depends on rate of secretion
aldosterone can increase epithelial exchange
also contains mucin, IgA and other antimicrobial substances
mucin provides lubrication
exogenous fluoride provides protection against tooth decay.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Know hepatitis; pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations,
diagnostics, treatment, complications (p1392)
Ans: inflammation of the liver
can lead to cirrhosis, cancer or death
Etiology: toxic substances and viral, infections and autoimmune diseases
Hep A (fecal/oral); incubation is 28 days; children younger than 6 do not
have symptoms (70%). N/V/D
Hep B (blood); risk factors are infants, immigrants, drugs or unprotected
sex
Hep C (from mother to baby)
Hep D (can only occur if Hep B is present)
Chronic Hep (B and C are main causes); malaise, anorexia, fever, GI
bleeding, hepatomegaly, edema, joint pain
Know different types of diarrhea and causes (p1320) (p1335)
(p1390)
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ans: Loose, watery stools and may be acute, persistent, or chronic. 3 or
more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequent than normal.
1. osmotic: nonabsorbable substance in the intestine draws excess water
into the lumen of the intestine by osmosis and increases stool weight
and volume.
2. secretory: excessive mucosal secretions of chloride or bicarbonate rich
fluid or overall inhibition of net sodium absorption. Viruses, bacterial
enterotoxins, exotoxins.
3. motile: excessive motility decreases transit time and the opportunity
for fluid absorption caused by resection of small intestine etc.
Complications of diarrhea in children (p1320)
Ans: Can have high rates of morbidity and mortality in children younger
than 5 years old, especially in developing countries. Second leading
cause of death in children younger than 5.
Know meconium ileus - what is it associated with (p1380)
Ans: intestinal obstruction in the neonatal period caused by meconium
formed in utero that is abnormally thick and sticky which leads to a
partial or complete obstruction at the level of the terminal ileum.
Simple and complex
Know intestinal obstruction; pathophysiology, etiology,
prevention, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, treatment and
complications (p1326)
Ans: Caused by any condition that prevents the normal flow of chyme
through the intestinal lumen; in small or large intestines
Know bilirubin, what is it? What is the bilirubin cycle? (p1306)
Ans: byproduct of the destruction of aged red blood cells, gives bile a
greenish black color and yellow tinge of jaundice
Know Kupffer cells and their function (p1304-1306)
© 2025 All rights reserved
