NURSING 150 EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ What are some reasons inflammation occurs?
Answer: Injury, infection, autoimmune disease, pathogens, damaged
cells, and irritants
◉ Pathophysiology of Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: It is an autoimmune disorder that causes ulcers to form on
the top lining of the colon and rectum. The ulcers can bleed.
◉ What is the etiology of Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: They do not know the exact cause of ulcerative colitis but it
is seen to be caused by:
- Genetics
- Immunity
- Viruses
- Environment
◉ Clinical manifestations for Ulcerative Colitis:
Pain - where?
Stool - what is it like?
,Weight loss - why?
Fatigue
What else?
Answer: Pain: Left lower quadrant
Stool: Bloody, diarrhea stools
Weight loss: Loss of fluids so quickly because of so much diarrhea
Nausea
Grumpy
◉ How many stools could a person with Ulcerative Colitis have
during a flare-up?
Answer: 10-20 BM a day
*Most people that you see in the hospital are there because they are
having a flare up
◉ When you are assessing someone with Ulcerative Colitis, what is
common?
Answer: Hyperactive bowel sounds
◉ What lab tests would be done to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: CBC, Electrolytes, ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate),
CRP (C-reactive protein)
,◉ If someone has Ulcerative Colitis, what would CBC levels show?
Answer: - Increased WBC
- Decreased RBC
- Decreased H&H
- Keep an eye on platelet count
◉ What are the normal electrolyte levels for potassium and
magnesium?
Answer: Potassium - 3.5 to 5.1
Magnesium - 1.9 to 2.7
◉ What two lab tests for ulcerative colitis show inflammation?
Answer: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein
◉ What are the 4 tests that can be done to diagnose ulcerative
colitis?
Answer: - Colonoscopy (Best way to diagnose ulcerative colitis)
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Barium enema
- CT Scan/MRI (Common test done in ER if person has S&S)
◉ What is the best way to diagnose ulcerative colitis?
, Answer: Colonoscopy
- It cannot be done during a flare up
- When a person gets back from a colonoscopy, continue checking
S&S for a perforated bowel
◉ X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large
intestine. An enema is the injection of a liquid into your rectum
through a small tube
Answer: Barium enema
- Make sure person passes barium or it can harden inside bowel
(Drink a lot of fluid)
- Barium is clay colored ; May take stool a few days to return back to
normal after procedure
◉ Drug #1 for ulcerative colitis:
- GI anti inflammatory drugs that affect the GI
- First line of defense drugs
- A maintenance medication that the person will take long term
Answer: Aminosalicylates otherwise known as 5-ASA
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
- Mesalamine (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol HD)
◉ Drug #2 for ulcerative colitis:
WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ What are some reasons inflammation occurs?
Answer: Injury, infection, autoimmune disease, pathogens, damaged
cells, and irritants
◉ Pathophysiology of Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: It is an autoimmune disorder that causes ulcers to form on
the top lining of the colon and rectum. The ulcers can bleed.
◉ What is the etiology of Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: They do not know the exact cause of ulcerative colitis but it
is seen to be caused by:
- Genetics
- Immunity
- Viruses
- Environment
◉ Clinical manifestations for Ulcerative Colitis:
Pain - where?
Stool - what is it like?
,Weight loss - why?
Fatigue
What else?
Answer: Pain: Left lower quadrant
Stool: Bloody, diarrhea stools
Weight loss: Loss of fluids so quickly because of so much diarrhea
Nausea
Grumpy
◉ How many stools could a person with Ulcerative Colitis have
during a flare-up?
Answer: 10-20 BM a day
*Most people that you see in the hospital are there because they are
having a flare up
◉ When you are assessing someone with Ulcerative Colitis, what is
common?
Answer: Hyperactive bowel sounds
◉ What lab tests would be done to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis?
Answer: CBC, Electrolytes, ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate),
CRP (C-reactive protein)
,◉ If someone has Ulcerative Colitis, what would CBC levels show?
Answer: - Increased WBC
- Decreased RBC
- Decreased H&H
- Keep an eye on platelet count
◉ What are the normal electrolyte levels for potassium and
magnesium?
Answer: Potassium - 3.5 to 5.1
Magnesium - 1.9 to 2.7
◉ What two lab tests for ulcerative colitis show inflammation?
Answer: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein
◉ What are the 4 tests that can be done to diagnose ulcerative
colitis?
Answer: - Colonoscopy (Best way to diagnose ulcerative colitis)
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Barium enema
- CT Scan/MRI (Common test done in ER if person has S&S)
◉ What is the best way to diagnose ulcerative colitis?
, Answer: Colonoscopy
- It cannot be done during a flare up
- When a person gets back from a colonoscopy, continue checking
S&S for a perforated bowel
◉ X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large
intestine. An enema is the injection of a liquid into your rectum
through a small tube
Answer: Barium enema
- Make sure person passes barium or it can harden inside bowel
(Drink a lot of fluid)
- Barium is clay colored ; May take stool a few days to return back to
normal after procedure
◉ Drug #1 for ulcerative colitis:
- GI anti inflammatory drugs that affect the GI
- First line of defense drugs
- A maintenance medication that the person will take long term
Answer: Aminosalicylates otherwise known as 5-ASA
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
- Mesalamine (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol HD)
◉ Drug #2 for ulcerative colitis:
