Verified Q&A | Graded A+
Question 1: A patient presents with difficulty swallowing. Which term best describes this
condition?
A) Peristalsis
B) Steatorrhea
C) Hematemesis
D) Dysphagia
Answer: D
Rationale: Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing; it is associated with lack of gag reflex and
is assessed with a barium swallow test . Peristalsis is the squeezing movement that
pushes food through the digestive tract; steatorrhea is fatty, foul-smelling stools;
hematemesis is vomiting blood.
Question 2: A patient with chronic GERD develops Barrett's esophagus. This represents
which cellular adaptation?
A) Dysplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with
another. In GERD, chronic acid reflux causes the normal squamous epithelium of the
esophagus to be replaced by columnar epithelium with goblet cells (Barrett's
esophagus), which is a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma .
Question 3: Which cells secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor?
,A) Gastric goblet cells
B) Gastric parietal cells
C) Chief cells
D) Mucous cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Gastric parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Gastric
goblet cells secrete mucus and prostaglandin to protect the stomach lining from harsh
acid .
Question 4: What is the primary function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)?
A) Prevents backflow of food from esophagus back into mouth
B) Separates gastric contents from the esophagus
C) Secretes digestive enzymes
D) Absorbs nutrients
Answer: B
Rationale: The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) separates gastric contents from the
esophagus. The upper esophageal sphincter prevents backflow of food from esophagus
back into mouth .
Question 5: What is GERD and what causes it?
A) Excessive gastric acid production without sphincter involvement
B) Decreased closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acidic gastric
contents to reflux up into the esophagus
C) Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
D) Infection with Helicobacter pylori
Answer: B
Rationale: GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) occurs due to decreased closure of
the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows acidic gastric contents to reflux up into the
,esophagus . Treatment includes lifestyle modifications, proton pump inhibitors, and H2
blockers.
Question 6: A patient with GERD is advised to make lifestyle changes. Which
recommendation would be appropriate?
A) Increasing caffeine intake and eating spicy foods
B) Avoiding large meals and not lying down immediately after eating
C) Eating three large meals a day
D) Lying down for at least an hour after meals
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with GERD should avoid large meals and lying down immediately
after eating . Lifestyle modifications include elevating the head of the bed, avoiding
trigger foods (spicy, acidic, fatty), and eating smaller, more frequent meals.
Question 7: Diverticulitis is defined as:
A) Herniation of intestine through abdominal muscle layers
B) Inflammation of the submucosal colonic lining due to constipation
C) Inflammation of a diverticula, usually due to the buildup of trapped bacteria
D) Herniation of mucosal or submucosal colonic layers through muscular colonic layers
Answer: C
Rationale: Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected, leading to
abdominal pain and digestive issues . Diverticulosis refers to the presence of non-
inflamed diverticula (sac-like pockets in the intestinal mucosa) .
Question 8: Steatorrhea is classified as:
A) Decrease of fat in the stools
B) Excessive minerals in the stools
C) Decrease of protein in the stools
D) Excessive fat in the stools
, Answer: D
Rationale: Steatorrhea is excessive fat in the stools, causing light-colored, soft, and foul-
smelling stool . It indicates fat malabsorption and occurs in celiac disease, pancreatitis,
and Crohn's disease .
Question 9: Celiac disease is characterized by damage to which structures in the small
intestine?
A) Crypts of Lieberkühn
B) Goblet cells
C) Villi
D) Peyer's patches
Answer: C
Rationale: Celiac disease occurs from a hypersensitivity reaction to gluten (a by-product
of wheat, barley, and rye). This impairs the absorption of all nutrients, vitamins, minerals,
electrolytes, and bile salts. The microvilli get damaged, and the patient cannot absorb
fat .
Question 10: What is the primary distinction between an ileostomy and a colostomy?
A) An ileostomy involves the small intestine, while a colostomy involves the large
intestine
B) An ileostomy is temporary, whereas a colostomy is always permanent
C) An ileostomy is created from the ileum, while a colostomy is created from the
colon
D) Ileostomies are performed for cancer, while colostomies are performed for
inflammatory bowel disease
Answer: C
Rationale: An ileostomy involves bringing the ileum (small intestine) out to the exterior
abdominal wall, while a colostomy involves bringing the colon out to the anterior
abdomen .