NU 665 FINAL STUDY GUIDE:
2025/2026 WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
GI DISORDERS AND HEPATITIS
Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis A:
Clinical Manifestations: Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, elevated liver
enzymes.
Screening and Diagnosis: IgM anti-HAV.
Patient Education: Emphasize proper handwashing and avoiding contaminated
food/water.
Hepatitis B:
Acute Infection: HBsAg-positive, HBsAb-negative, IgM HBcAb-positive.
Chronic Infection: Persistence of HBsAg.
Immunity (Post-vaccination or Recovery): HBsAg-negative, HBsAb-positive, IgM
HBcAb-negative. – difference is the negative core antibody
Patient Education: Stress the importance of vaccination and avoiding risky behaviors.
Hepatitis C:
Screening: HCV antibody.
Confirmatory Testing: HCV viral load.
Patient Education: Discuss the importance of avoiding alcohol and seeking treatment to
prevent liver damage.
Hepatitis
Test Purpose Timing Interpretation
Type
, IgM Anti- Detects acute/recent Positive within 2 Positive indicates
HAV
HAV infection weeks of exposure current/recent infection
Appears late in
IgG Anti- Detects past infection Positive indicates past
infection, persists
HAV or immunity infection or immunization
for life
Detectable in acute
Indicates active Positive indicates active
HBV HBsAg and chronic
infection infection
infection
Positive indicates
Appears after
Anti-HBs Indicates immunity immunity from past
HBsAg disappears
infection or vaccine
Hepatitis
Test Purpose Timing Interpretation
Type
Indicates Appears at onset of
Total Anti- Positive indicates past or
previous/ongoing
symptoms, persists
HBc ongoing infection
infection for life
IgM Anti- Indicates recentAppears early in Positive indicates recent
HBc infection infection infection
Present in early
Indicates high Positive indicates high
HBeAg infection, may
infectivity infectivity
persist
Detectable within High levels indicate
HBV DNA Measures viral load
weeks of exposure active replication
Detectable 4-10
Positive indicates past or
HCV Anti-HCV Indicates exposure weeks after
current infection
exposure
Detectable within
Confirms active Presence and quantity
HCV RNA 1-2 weeks of
infection indicate active infection
exposure
Done after
HCV Guides treatment
Determines genotype confirming
Genotyping decisions
infection
Diverticulitis
Clinical Manifestations: Fever, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, LLQ pain
Risk Factors: Age, constipation, low dietary fiber intake, obesity, lack of exercise
Diagnostic Testing: CT scan
Treatment: Antibiotics (Cipro with Metronidazole), clear liquid diet; hospitalization if
severe
Referral: Necessary if complications like abscess or perforation occur
GERD
, Signs and Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and weight gain.
Further Evaluation: Endoscopy for red flags (e.g., dysphagia, weight loss).
Treatment: PPIs, H2 blockers, and antacids, lifestyle changes (e.g., avoid meals before
bedtime, avoid acidic foods).
Risk Factors: Obesity, hiatal hernia, alcohol use.
Patient Education: smoking cessation, avoiding eating meals before bed, avoid acidic
food such as OJ and tomotoes.
2025/2026 WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
GI DISORDERS AND HEPATITIS
Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis A:
Clinical Manifestations: Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, elevated liver
enzymes.
Screening and Diagnosis: IgM anti-HAV.
Patient Education: Emphasize proper handwashing and avoiding contaminated
food/water.
Hepatitis B:
Acute Infection: HBsAg-positive, HBsAb-negative, IgM HBcAb-positive.
Chronic Infection: Persistence of HBsAg.
Immunity (Post-vaccination or Recovery): HBsAg-negative, HBsAb-positive, IgM
HBcAb-negative. – difference is the negative core antibody
Patient Education: Stress the importance of vaccination and avoiding risky behaviors.
Hepatitis C:
Screening: HCV antibody.
Confirmatory Testing: HCV viral load.
Patient Education: Discuss the importance of avoiding alcohol and seeking treatment to
prevent liver damage.
Hepatitis
Test Purpose Timing Interpretation
Type
, IgM Anti- Detects acute/recent Positive within 2 Positive indicates
HAV
HAV infection weeks of exposure current/recent infection
Appears late in
IgG Anti- Detects past infection Positive indicates past
infection, persists
HAV or immunity infection or immunization
for life
Detectable in acute
Indicates active Positive indicates active
HBV HBsAg and chronic
infection infection
infection
Positive indicates
Appears after
Anti-HBs Indicates immunity immunity from past
HBsAg disappears
infection or vaccine
Hepatitis
Test Purpose Timing Interpretation
Type
Indicates Appears at onset of
Total Anti- Positive indicates past or
previous/ongoing
symptoms, persists
HBc ongoing infection
infection for life
IgM Anti- Indicates recentAppears early in Positive indicates recent
HBc infection infection infection
Present in early
Indicates high Positive indicates high
HBeAg infection, may
infectivity infectivity
persist
Detectable within High levels indicate
HBV DNA Measures viral load
weeks of exposure active replication
Detectable 4-10
Positive indicates past or
HCV Anti-HCV Indicates exposure weeks after
current infection
exposure
Detectable within
Confirms active Presence and quantity
HCV RNA 1-2 weeks of
infection indicate active infection
exposure
Done after
HCV Guides treatment
Determines genotype confirming
Genotyping decisions
infection
Diverticulitis
Clinical Manifestations: Fever, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, LLQ pain
Risk Factors: Age, constipation, low dietary fiber intake, obesity, lack of exercise
Diagnostic Testing: CT scan
Treatment: Antibiotics (Cipro with Metronidazole), clear liquid diet; hospitalization if
severe
Referral: Necessary if complications like abscess or perforation occur
GERD
, Signs and Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and weight gain.
Further Evaluation: Endoscopy for red flags (e.g., dysphagia, weight loss).
Treatment: PPIs, H2 blockers, and antacids, lifestyle changes (e.g., avoid meals before
bedtime, avoid acidic foods).
Risk Factors: Obesity, hiatal hernia, alcohol use.
Patient Education: smoking cessation, avoiding eating meals before bed, avoid acidic
food such as OJ and tomotoes.
