,Geneva College NURS 251 Module 7 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following cell types is responsible for the release of
hydrochloric acid (HCl) within the stomach?
A) Chief cells
B) G cells
C) Parietal cells
D) Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells
Correct Answer: Parietal cells
Rationale: Parietal cells, located in the gastric glands, are the specific cells
that secrete hydrochloric acid. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, G cells secrete
gastrin, and ECL cells secrete histamine, but only parietal cells produce HCl.
2. A patient presents with a dull, gnawing epigastric pain that is worsened by
eating food. Which type of ulcer is most consistent with this clinical
presentation?
A) Duodenal ulcer
B) Gastric ulcer
C) Esophageal ulcer
D) Stress ulcer
Correct Answer: Gastric ulcer
Rationale: The pain from a gastric ulcer typically worsens with food intake
because eating increases gastric acid secretion, which irritates the exposed
mucosal lining. In contrast, the pain of a duodenal ulcer is often relieved by
food, as the meal helps buffer stomach acid.
,3. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism by which the
bacterium *Helicobacter pylori* contributes to the development of peptic
ulcers?
A) Directly eroding the mucosal lining through mechanical action
B) Suppressing the immune system to allow acid to damage the mucosa
C) Triggering an inflammatory response that increases gastric acid secretion
and damages the mucosal barrier
D) Producing a toxin that neutralizes protective mucus
Correct Answer: Triggering an inflammatory response that increases gastric
acid secretion and damages the mucosal barrier
Rationale: When *H. pylori* infects the stomach, it triggers an inflammatory
response. This inflammation can lead to increased gastric acid secretion and
directly damage the protective mucosal lining, making it susceptible to
erosion and ulcer formation.
4. Which of the following drug classes is most directly associated with an
increased risk of peptic ulcers due to the inhibition of prostaglandin
synthesis?
A) Antibiotics
B) Antacids
C) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D) Antihypertensives
Correct Answer: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
enzymes, which are essential for producing prostaglandins that protect the
gastric mucosa by inhibiting acid secretion and promoting mucus and
bicarbonate production. Their long-term use significantly increases ulcer risk.
, 5. Which of the following is a major stimulator for the release of gastric
juices?
A) Acetylcholine (ACh)
B) Serotonin
C) Dopamine
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh)
Rationale: Acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter released by the vagus
nerve in response to food ingestion. It binds to receptors on parietal cells, G
cells, ECL cells, and chief cells, stimulating the release of HCl, gastrin,
histamine, and pepsin.
6. According to the material presented in Module 7, what are the two primary
classes of antisecretory drugs used in the management of GERD?
A) Antacids and Alginates
B) H2 Receptor Antagonists and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
C) Prokinetics and Mucosal Protectants
D) Antibiotics and Antifungals
Correct Answer: H2 Receptor Antagonists and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Rationale: The module specifically identifies H2 receptor antagonists and
PPIs as the two primary antisecretory drug classes for GERD management.
Antacids neutralize acid but are not antisecretory, and PPIs are more
effective at reducing acid production than H2 blockers.
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following cell types is responsible for the release of
hydrochloric acid (HCl) within the stomach?
A) Chief cells
B) G cells
C) Parietal cells
D) Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells
Correct Answer: Parietal cells
Rationale: Parietal cells, located in the gastric glands, are the specific cells
that secrete hydrochloric acid. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, G cells secrete
gastrin, and ECL cells secrete histamine, but only parietal cells produce HCl.
2. A patient presents with a dull, gnawing epigastric pain that is worsened by
eating food. Which type of ulcer is most consistent with this clinical
presentation?
A) Duodenal ulcer
B) Gastric ulcer
C) Esophageal ulcer
D) Stress ulcer
Correct Answer: Gastric ulcer
Rationale: The pain from a gastric ulcer typically worsens with food intake
because eating increases gastric acid secretion, which irritates the exposed
mucosal lining. In contrast, the pain of a duodenal ulcer is often relieved by
food, as the meal helps buffer stomach acid.
,3. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism by which the
bacterium *Helicobacter pylori* contributes to the development of peptic
ulcers?
A) Directly eroding the mucosal lining through mechanical action
B) Suppressing the immune system to allow acid to damage the mucosa
C) Triggering an inflammatory response that increases gastric acid secretion
and damages the mucosal barrier
D) Producing a toxin that neutralizes protective mucus
Correct Answer: Triggering an inflammatory response that increases gastric
acid secretion and damages the mucosal barrier
Rationale: When *H. pylori* infects the stomach, it triggers an inflammatory
response. This inflammation can lead to increased gastric acid secretion and
directly damage the protective mucosal lining, making it susceptible to
erosion and ulcer formation.
4. Which of the following drug classes is most directly associated with an
increased risk of peptic ulcers due to the inhibition of prostaglandin
synthesis?
A) Antibiotics
B) Antacids
C) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D) Antihypertensives
Correct Answer: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
enzymes, which are essential for producing prostaglandins that protect the
gastric mucosa by inhibiting acid secretion and promoting mucus and
bicarbonate production. Their long-term use significantly increases ulcer risk.
, 5. Which of the following is a major stimulator for the release of gastric
juices?
A) Acetylcholine (ACh)
B) Serotonin
C) Dopamine
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh)
Rationale: Acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter released by the vagus
nerve in response to food ingestion. It binds to receptors on parietal cells, G
cells, ECL cells, and chief cells, stimulating the release of HCl, gastrin,
histamine, and pepsin.
6. According to the material presented in Module 7, what are the two primary
classes of antisecretory drugs used in the management of GERD?
A) Antacids and Alginates
B) H2 Receptor Antagonists and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
C) Prokinetics and Mucosal Protectants
D) Antibiotics and Antifungals
Correct Answer: H2 Receptor Antagonists and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Rationale: The module specifically identifies H2 receptor antagonists and
PPIs as the two primary antisecretory drug classes for GERD management.
Antacids neutralize acid but are not antisecretory, and PPIs are more
effective at reducing acid production than H2 blockers.
