1
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 2 (3 exam
sets) Comprehensive Practice Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Explanations Latest update this Year
instant pdf 100% Verified
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS (Questions 1-40)
Q1. What is the primary mechanism of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD)?
A. Excessive gastric acid production
B. Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through an incompetent lower
esophageal sphincter
C. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa only
D. Infection of the esophagus by H. pylori
Correct Answer: B. Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through an
incompetent lower esophageal sphincter
GERD involves repeated exposure of esophageal mucosa to gastric acid, leading to
inflammation and potential complications. The primary mechanism is
incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing highly acidic
stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus .
, 2
Q2. Clinical manifestations of GERD include which of the following? (Select all
that apply)
A. Heartburn
B. Epigastric pain after meals
C. Dysphagia
D. Regurgitation of food
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D. All of the above are clinical manifestations of GERD
GERD symptoms include heartburn, epigastric pain, dysphagia, odynophagia,
regurgitation, dry cough, and sensation of a lump in the throat. Symptoms
typically worsen when lying supine and improve with elevation of the head .
Q3. What is the cause of hiatal hernia?
A. Excessive acid production in the stomach
B. Weakening of the diaphragm muscle allowing stomach protrusion through the
hiatus
C. H. pylori infection of the gastric mucosa
D. Inflammation of the lower esophageal sphincter
Correct Answer: B. Weakening of the diaphragm muscle allowing stomach
protrusion through the hiatus
A hiatal hernia occurs when a section of the stomach protrudes upward through
an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm. This results from weakening of the
, 3
diaphragm muscle from increased intrathoracic pressure or increased intra-
abdominal pressure .
Q4. A patient with a hiatal hernia is most likely to experience:
A. Constipation and bloating
B. Heartburn and regurgitation
C. Bloody diarrhea
D. Right lower quadrant pain
Correct Answer: B. Heartburn and regurgitation
Hiatal hernia disrupts LES function and promotes acid reflux, causing heartburn
and regurgitation. The displaced stomach allows acid to flow more easily into the
esophagus .
Q5. Gastritis is defined as:
A. Infection of the lower esophageal sphincter
B. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
C. Ulceration of the duodenum
D. Obstruction of the pyloric sphincter
Correct Answer: B. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
Gastritis refers to inflammation of the gastric (stomach) mucosa. It can be acute
(transient) or chronic (persistent with mucosal atrophy). The lining will be red,
inflamed, and irritated .
, 4
Q6. Acute erosive gastritis is most commonly associated with:
A. Autoimmune disorders
B. Chronic alcohol use
C. H. pylori infection
D. Genetic predisposition
Correct Answer: B. Chronic alcohol use
Alcohol directly irritates and erodes the gastric mucosa, causing acute erosive
gastritis. Other causes include NSAIDs, aspirin, viral infections, and stress from
burns, trauma, or sepsis. Ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin,
NSAIDs, viruses, and bacteria can all cause gastritis .
Q7. Clinical manifestations of gastritis include:
A. Constipation and flatulence
B. Indigestion, heartburn, and epigastric pain
C. Bloody diarrhea and fever
D. Lower abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: B. Indigestion, heartburn, and epigastric pain
Gastritis symptoms reflect mucosal inflammation and include indigestion,
heartburn, epigastric pain, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, anorexia,
fever, and malaise. Hematemesis and dark, tarry stools indicate ulceration and
bleeding .
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 2 (3 exam
sets) Comprehensive Practice Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Explanations Latest update this Year
instant pdf 100% Verified
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS (Questions 1-40)
Q1. What is the primary mechanism of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD)?
A. Excessive gastric acid production
B. Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through an incompetent lower
esophageal sphincter
C. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa only
D. Infection of the esophagus by H. pylori
Correct Answer: B. Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through an
incompetent lower esophageal sphincter
GERD involves repeated exposure of esophageal mucosa to gastric acid, leading to
inflammation and potential complications. The primary mechanism is
incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing highly acidic
stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus .
, 2
Q2. Clinical manifestations of GERD include which of the following? (Select all
that apply)
A. Heartburn
B. Epigastric pain after meals
C. Dysphagia
D. Regurgitation of food
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D. All of the above are clinical manifestations of GERD
GERD symptoms include heartburn, epigastric pain, dysphagia, odynophagia,
regurgitation, dry cough, and sensation of a lump in the throat. Symptoms
typically worsen when lying supine and improve with elevation of the head .
Q3. What is the cause of hiatal hernia?
A. Excessive acid production in the stomach
B. Weakening of the diaphragm muscle allowing stomach protrusion through the
hiatus
C. H. pylori infection of the gastric mucosa
D. Inflammation of the lower esophageal sphincter
Correct Answer: B. Weakening of the diaphragm muscle allowing stomach
protrusion through the hiatus
A hiatal hernia occurs when a section of the stomach protrudes upward through
an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm. This results from weakening of the
, 3
diaphragm muscle from increased intrathoracic pressure or increased intra-
abdominal pressure .
Q4. A patient with a hiatal hernia is most likely to experience:
A. Constipation and bloating
B. Heartburn and regurgitation
C. Bloody diarrhea
D. Right lower quadrant pain
Correct Answer: B. Heartburn and regurgitation
Hiatal hernia disrupts LES function and promotes acid reflux, causing heartburn
and regurgitation. The displaced stomach allows acid to flow more easily into the
esophagus .
Q5. Gastritis is defined as:
A. Infection of the lower esophageal sphincter
B. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
C. Ulceration of the duodenum
D. Obstruction of the pyloric sphincter
Correct Answer: B. Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
Gastritis refers to inflammation of the gastric (stomach) mucosa. It can be acute
(transient) or chronic (persistent with mucosal atrophy). The lining will be red,
inflamed, and irritated .
, 4
Q6. Acute erosive gastritis is most commonly associated with:
A. Autoimmune disorders
B. Chronic alcohol use
C. H. pylori infection
D. Genetic predisposition
Correct Answer: B. Chronic alcohol use
Alcohol directly irritates and erodes the gastric mucosa, causing acute erosive
gastritis. Other causes include NSAIDs, aspirin, viral infections, and stress from
burns, trauma, or sepsis. Ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin,
NSAIDs, viruses, and bacteria can all cause gastritis .
Q7. Clinical manifestations of gastritis include:
A. Constipation and flatulence
B. Indigestion, heartburn, and epigastric pain
C. Bloody diarrhea and fever
D. Lower abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: B. Indigestion, heartburn, and epigastric pain
Gastritis symptoms reflect mucosal inflammation and include indigestion,
heartburn, epigastric pain, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, anorexia,
fever, and malaise. Hematemesis and dark, tarry stools indicate ulceration and
bleeding .
