NUR 2063 Pathophysiology Exam 2 Study
Guide | 2026/2027 Cheat Sheet & Key
Concepts
What is gastritis? - correct answer-Inflammation of the stomach lining. The lining
will be red and inflamed and irritated
What are the causes of gastritis? - correct answer-Ingestion of irritating
substances such a alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDS, viruses and bacteria
What is GERD? - correct answer-the back flow of gastric contents into the
esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter. The inflammation occurs
from the reflex of highly acidic stomach acid that comes up.
What are the causes of GERD? - correct answer-Any condition or agent that alters
closure of the lower esophageal sphincter or increases in abdominal pressure,
fatty food, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, smoking, pregnancy and anatomical
features like hiatal hernia
What are complications of GERD? - correct answer-Barrett's esophagus where
columnar tissue replaces normal squamous tissue in the distal esophagus that
carries a high risk for cancer. Progression can lead to ulcers and scarring.
,Esophageal strictures, pulmonary symptoms such as cough, asthma and laryngitis
from reflux in breathing passages.
What are the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease? - correct answer-
epigastric burning pain that is usually relieved by food or antacids (gastric ulcers
present on empty stomach but can be after food, duodenal ulcers present 2-3
hours after food and is relieved by food). Can also be life threatening as GI
bleeding can occur without warning and cause a drop in H/H and dark tarry stools
and hematemesis.
What is the role of H.pylori in peptic ulcer disease? - correct answer-promotes
both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation and thrives in acidic areas. It slows
down ulcer healing and can reoccur frequently, and taking it away can help ulcers
heal.
What is pseudomembranous colitis?(C.diff) - correct answer-acute inflammation
and necrosis of large intestine. The intestinal lining cannot absorb well.
What is the cause of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-clostridium
difficile, exposure to long term antibiotics that off set the e.coli and c.diff balance
in intestine
What are the manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-foul
smelling/bloody stool, abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic
perforation.
How do we treat pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-stop current
antibiotics, treat ischemia and contributing conditions, give oral antibiotics like
metronidazole or vancomycin, fecal transplant or colectomy if severe
, How do we prevent the spread of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-
wearing appropriate PPE and washing hands with soap and water only
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis? - correct answer-Periumbilical
pain, RLQ pain, presence of a positive McBurneys point with pain, nausea,
vomiting, fever, diarrhea, RLQ tenderness, systemic signs of infection
How do we assess for appendicitis? - correct answer-McBurney's point technique
when pressing on the belly button and RLQ hip region and removing the pressure
causes intense pain, indicates positive appendicitis
What are the causes of bowel obstructions? - correct answer-previous surgery of
the intestines with adhesions, congenital abnormalities of the bowel, metastatic
cancer of the intestinal tract or female reproductive organs, accumulation of fluid,
gas, water and electrolytes in the bowel.
What is a functional bowel obstruction? - correct answer-a problem with the act
of the bowel actually moving, such as things that inhibit movement from surgery,
medications, opioids, low fiber diets that can slow motility or shut off the GI
system from the SNS stimulation.
What is a mechanical bowel obstruction? - correct answer-due to adhesions,
hernia, tumors, impacted feces, volvus or twisting of the intestines,
intussusception
What are the signs and symptoms of liver disease? - correct answer-
hepatocellular failure (jaundice, decreased clotting, hypoalbuminemia, decreased
Guide | 2026/2027 Cheat Sheet & Key
Concepts
What is gastritis? - correct answer-Inflammation of the stomach lining. The lining
will be red and inflamed and irritated
What are the causes of gastritis? - correct answer-Ingestion of irritating
substances such a alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDS, viruses and bacteria
What is GERD? - correct answer-the back flow of gastric contents into the
esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter. The inflammation occurs
from the reflex of highly acidic stomach acid that comes up.
What are the causes of GERD? - correct answer-Any condition or agent that alters
closure of the lower esophageal sphincter or increases in abdominal pressure,
fatty food, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, smoking, pregnancy and anatomical
features like hiatal hernia
What are complications of GERD? - correct answer-Barrett's esophagus where
columnar tissue replaces normal squamous tissue in the distal esophagus that
carries a high risk for cancer. Progression can lead to ulcers and scarring.
,Esophageal strictures, pulmonary symptoms such as cough, asthma and laryngitis
from reflux in breathing passages.
What are the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease? - correct answer-
epigastric burning pain that is usually relieved by food or antacids (gastric ulcers
present on empty stomach but can be after food, duodenal ulcers present 2-3
hours after food and is relieved by food). Can also be life threatening as GI
bleeding can occur without warning and cause a drop in H/H and dark tarry stools
and hematemesis.
What is the role of H.pylori in peptic ulcer disease? - correct answer-promotes
both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation and thrives in acidic areas. It slows
down ulcer healing and can reoccur frequently, and taking it away can help ulcers
heal.
What is pseudomembranous colitis?(C.diff) - correct answer-acute inflammation
and necrosis of large intestine. The intestinal lining cannot absorb well.
What is the cause of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-clostridium
difficile, exposure to long term antibiotics that off set the e.coli and c.diff balance
in intestine
What are the manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-foul
smelling/bloody stool, abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic
perforation.
How do we treat pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-stop current
antibiotics, treat ischemia and contributing conditions, give oral antibiotics like
metronidazole or vancomycin, fecal transplant or colectomy if severe
, How do we prevent the spread of pseudomembranous colitis? - correct answer-
wearing appropriate PPE and washing hands with soap and water only
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis? - correct answer-Periumbilical
pain, RLQ pain, presence of a positive McBurneys point with pain, nausea,
vomiting, fever, diarrhea, RLQ tenderness, systemic signs of infection
How do we assess for appendicitis? - correct answer-McBurney's point technique
when pressing on the belly button and RLQ hip region and removing the pressure
causes intense pain, indicates positive appendicitis
What are the causes of bowel obstructions? - correct answer-previous surgery of
the intestines with adhesions, congenital abnormalities of the bowel, metastatic
cancer of the intestinal tract or female reproductive organs, accumulation of fluid,
gas, water and electrolytes in the bowel.
What is a functional bowel obstruction? - correct answer-a problem with the act
of the bowel actually moving, such as things that inhibit movement from surgery,
medications, opioids, low fiber diets that can slow motility or shut off the GI
system from the SNS stimulation.
What is a mechanical bowel obstruction? - correct answer-due to adhesions,
hernia, tumors, impacted feces, volvus or twisting of the intestines,
intussusception
What are the signs and symptoms of liver disease? - correct answer-
hepatocellular failure (jaundice, decreased clotting, hypoalbuminemia, decreased
