NR 507 Week 5 Exam Gastrointestinal
Disorders and Neurobiological Function
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) most
commonly develops symptoms because:
A. Gastric acid production is absent
B. Lower esophageal sphincter tone is decreased
C. Gastric emptying is always accelerated
D. The pyloric sphincter remains closed
Rationale: GERD primarily results from decreased lower esophageal
sphincter (LES) tone, allowing acidic gastric contents to reflux into the
esophagus. Chronic acid exposure damages the esophageal mucosa,
leading to heartburn, regurgitation, and potential complications such
as esophagitis and Barrett esophagus.
, 2. Which condition is the strongest risk factor for esophageal
adenocarcinoma?
A. Achalasia
B. Barrett esophagus
C. Esophageal varices
D. Mallory-Weiss tear
Rationale: Barrett esophagus develops after chronic GERD causes
replacement of normal squamous epithelium with columnar
epithelium (intestinal metaplasia). This significantly increases the risk
of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of achalasia?
A. Increased LES relaxation
B. Failure of LES relaxation with impaired esophageal peristalsis
C. Excess gastric acid secretion
D. Hypertrophy of gastric rugae
Rationale: Achalasia results from degeneration of inhibitory neurons
within the myenteric plexus, preventing LES relaxation and causing
absent or ineffective peristalsis. Patients present with dysphagia to
solids and liquids.
4. The most common cause of peptic ulcer disease is:
,A. Stress alone
B. Alcohol abuse
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Hiatal hernia
Rationale: Helicobacter pylori disrupts the protective mucosal barrier,
leading to chronic inflammation and ulcer formation. NSAID use is the
second major cause.
5. Gastric ulcers differ from duodenal ulcers because gastric ulcers
are more likely to:
A. Improve with meals
B. Cause pain shortly after eating
C. Occur only in younger adults
D. Produce excessive bile secretion
Rationale: Gastric ulcer pain typically worsens shortly after meals
because food stimulates acid secretion. Duodenal ulcer pain often
improves with meals but returns several hours later.
6. Which medication class most effectively suppresses gastric acid
secretion?
A. Antacids
B. Proton pump inhibitors
, C. Histamine supplements
D. Prokinetic agents
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+
ATPase proton pump of gastric parietal cells, producing the greatest
reduction in gastric acid secretion.
7. Which complication is associated with chronic liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased albumin synthesis
B. Portal hypertension
C. Increased clotting factor production
D. Enhanced detoxification
Rationale: Fibrosis in cirrhosis obstructs portal blood flow, producing
portal hypertension that contributes to ascites, splenomegaly, and
esophageal varices.
8. Portal hypertension commonly results in:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Esophageal varices
D. Renal artery stenosis
Disorders and Neurobiological Function
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) most
commonly develops symptoms because:
A. Gastric acid production is absent
B. Lower esophageal sphincter tone is decreased
C. Gastric emptying is always accelerated
D. The pyloric sphincter remains closed
Rationale: GERD primarily results from decreased lower esophageal
sphincter (LES) tone, allowing acidic gastric contents to reflux into the
esophagus. Chronic acid exposure damages the esophageal mucosa,
leading to heartburn, regurgitation, and potential complications such
as esophagitis and Barrett esophagus.
, 2. Which condition is the strongest risk factor for esophageal
adenocarcinoma?
A. Achalasia
B. Barrett esophagus
C. Esophageal varices
D. Mallory-Weiss tear
Rationale: Barrett esophagus develops after chronic GERD causes
replacement of normal squamous epithelium with columnar
epithelium (intestinal metaplasia). This significantly increases the risk
of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of achalasia?
A. Increased LES relaxation
B. Failure of LES relaxation with impaired esophageal peristalsis
C. Excess gastric acid secretion
D. Hypertrophy of gastric rugae
Rationale: Achalasia results from degeneration of inhibitory neurons
within the myenteric plexus, preventing LES relaxation and causing
absent or ineffective peristalsis. Patients present with dysphagia to
solids and liquids.
4. The most common cause of peptic ulcer disease is:
,A. Stress alone
B. Alcohol abuse
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Hiatal hernia
Rationale: Helicobacter pylori disrupts the protective mucosal barrier,
leading to chronic inflammation and ulcer formation. NSAID use is the
second major cause.
5. Gastric ulcers differ from duodenal ulcers because gastric ulcers
are more likely to:
A. Improve with meals
B. Cause pain shortly after eating
C. Occur only in younger adults
D. Produce excessive bile secretion
Rationale: Gastric ulcer pain typically worsens shortly after meals
because food stimulates acid secretion. Duodenal ulcer pain often
improves with meals but returns several hours later.
6. Which medication class most effectively suppresses gastric acid
secretion?
A. Antacids
B. Proton pump inhibitors
, C. Histamine supplements
D. Prokinetic agents
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+
ATPase proton pump of gastric parietal cells, producing the greatest
reduction in gastric acid secretion.
7. Which complication is associated with chronic liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased albumin synthesis
B. Portal hypertension
C. Increased clotting factor production
D. Enhanced detoxification
Rationale: Fibrosis in cirrhosis obstructs portal blood flow, producing
portal hypertension that contributes to ascites, splenomegaly, and
esophageal varices.
8. Portal hypertension commonly results in:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Esophageal varices
D. Renal artery stenosis
