NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of
Pathophysiology Exam 2 (Latest
) Rasmussen
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Question 1
What is the primary cause of gastritis?
A) High fiber diet
B) Ingestion of irritating substances (alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDs)
C) Vitamin D deficiency
D) Chronic hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastritis is defined as inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Acute gastritis is
most commonly caused by ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin,
NSAIDs, as well as viral and bacterial infections .
Question 2
,Which mechanism explains the development of Barrett's esophagus in chronic
GERD patients?
A) Squamous cells undergo hypertrophy to resist acid
B) Normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar tissue in the distal esophagus
C) Esophageal tissue undergoes fibrotic scarring and stricture formation
D) The lower esophageal sphincter permanently loses its closure strength
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Barrett's esophagus is a complication of chronic GERD where the normal
squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium
(metaplasia). This is a premalignant condition .
Question 3
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
A) Excessive gastric acid production without reflux
B) Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through the lower esophageal
sphincter
C) Inflammation of the gastric mucosa only
D) Infection of the esophagus by H. pylori
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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 gastric contents to
reflux into the esophagus .
Question 4
Clinical manifestations of GERD include: (Select all that apply)
,A) Heartburn
B) Epigastric pain after meals
C) Dysphagia
D) Regurgitation of food
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: 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 .
Question 5
Which organism plays a key role in promoting peptic ulcer formation?
A) E. coli
B) C. difficile
C) H. pylori
D) T. pallidum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that breaks down the protective
mucosal layer of the stomach and duodenum, promoting ulcer formation. It thrives in
acidic environments and slows ulcer healing .
Question 6
Where is the most frequent location for peptic ulcers to develop?
A) Distal colon
B) Stomach body
C) Proximal duodenum
D) Lower esophagus
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The proximal duodenum is the most common site for peptic ulcers.
Duodenal ulcers are more common than gastric ulcers .
Question 7
The pain pattern of a duodenal ulcer is typically:
A) Worse with food, relieved by fasting
B) Present upon awakening and relieved by food, with pain returning 2-3 hours after
meals
C) Constant and unrelieved by any intervention
D) Located in the right lower quadrant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Duodenal ulcers present with epigastric pain absent upon awakening,
appearing mid-morning, and can arouse the patient at night. Pain is typically relieved by
food or antacids but returns hours later when the stomach empties and acid reaches the
duodenum .
Question 8
Life-threatening complications of peptic ulcer disease may include: (Select all that
apply)
A) GI hemorrhage
B) Obstruction
C) Perforation
D) Peritonitis
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Complications of PUD include GI hemorrhage (bleeding), gastric outlet
obstruction, perforation (hole through the bowel wall), peritonitis (inflammation of the
peritoneal cavity), and gastric cancer .
Pathophysiology Exam 2 (Latest
) Rasmussen
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Question 1
What is the primary cause of gastritis?
A) High fiber diet
B) Ingestion of irritating substances (alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDs)
C) Vitamin D deficiency
D) Chronic hypertension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gastritis is defined as inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Acute gastritis is
most commonly caused by ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin,
NSAIDs, as well as viral and bacterial infections .
Question 2
,Which mechanism explains the development of Barrett's esophagus in chronic
GERD patients?
A) Squamous cells undergo hypertrophy to resist acid
B) Normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar tissue in the distal esophagus
C) Esophageal tissue undergoes fibrotic scarring and stricture formation
D) The lower esophageal sphincter permanently loses its closure strength
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Barrett's esophagus is a complication of chronic GERD where the normal
squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium
(metaplasia). This is a premalignant condition .
Question 3
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
A) Excessive gastric acid production without reflux
B) Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus through the lower esophageal
sphincter
C) Inflammation of the gastric mucosa only
D) Infection of the esophagus by H. pylori
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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 gastric contents to
reflux into the esophagus .
Question 4
Clinical manifestations of GERD include: (Select all that apply)
,A) Heartburn
B) Epigastric pain after meals
C) Dysphagia
D) Regurgitation of food
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: 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 .
Question 5
Which organism plays a key role in promoting peptic ulcer formation?
A) E. coli
B) C. difficile
C) H. pylori
D) T. pallidum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that breaks down the protective
mucosal layer of the stomach and duodenum, promoting ulcer formation. It thrives in
acidic environments and slows ulcer healing .
Question 6
Where is the most frequent location for peptic ulcers to develop?
A) Distal colon
B) Stomach body
C) Proximal duodenum
D) Lower esophagus
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The proximal duodenum is the most common site for peptic ulcers.
Duodenal ulcers are more common than gastric ulcers .
Question 7
The pain pattern of a duodenal ulcer is typically:
A) Worse with food, relieved by fasting
B) Present upon awakening and relieved by food, with pain returning 2-3 hours after
meals
C) Constant and unrelieved by any intervention
D) Located in the right lower quadrant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Duodenal ulcers present with epigastric pain absent upon awakening,
appearing mid-morning, and can arouse the patient at night. Pain is typically relieved by
food or antacids but returns hours later when the stomach empties and acid reaches the
duodenum .
Question 8
Life-threatening complications of peptic ulcer disease may include: (Select all that
apply)
A) GI hemorrhage
B) Obstruction
C) Perforation
D) Peritonitis
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Complications of PUD include GI hemorrhage (bleeding), gastric outlet
obstruction, perforation (hole through the bowel wall), peritonitis (inflammation of the
peritoneal cavity), and gastric cancer .
