RASMUSSEN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2
ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT FINAL PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
●● Causes of mechanical obstruction.
Answer: foreign bodies, tumors, adhesions, hernias, intussusception
(telescoping), volvulus, strictures, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis,
Hirschsprung's disease, and fecal impaction
●● Causes of functional obstruction.
Answer: neurologic impairment; intra-abdominal surgery complications;
chemical, electrolyte, and mineral disturbances; infections; abdominal
blood supply impairment; renal and lung disease; and medications (e.g.,
narcotics)
●● peritonitis.
Answer: inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the
abdominal cavity and surrounding the organs within it)
●● Why does the abdomen become rigid with peritonitis?.
Answer: Due to inflammation And abdominal muscle spasms
,●● Ulcerative colitis V Chron's.
Answer: UC:
- Condition in mucosa only
- Begins in the rectum and then extends to the entire colon
- Develops fast (20-30 sec)
- Rarely affects small intestines
- inflammation triggered by T cells accumulation in mucosa
Chron's:
- Condition that is full thickness
- Can be anywhere in small/large intestine (colon)
- Cobblestone appearance (fissures/nodules)
- loses ability to digest and absorb
- Abd. pain in right lower quadrant
- Intestinal wall is thick/rigid
- Progressive condition that is slow developing
●● pancreatitis.
Answer: inflammation of the pancreas (acute/chronic)
●● acute pancreatitis.
Answer: Cholelithiasis
-Medical emergency
,- sudden and severe
●● chronic pancreatitis.
Answer: Alcohol abuse
- gradual but harmful effects
●● acute pancreatitis manifestations.
Answer: - Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back, worsens after
eating, and is somewhat relieved by leaning forward or pulling the knees
toward the chest
-Nausea and vomiting
-Mild jaundice
-Low-grade fever
-Blood pressure and pulse changes
●● chronic pancreatitis manifestations.
Answer: -Upper abdominal pain
-Indigestion
-Losing weight without trying
-Steatorrhea
-Constipation
-Flatulence
, ●● Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):.
Answer: chyme or bile periodically backs up from the stomach into the
esophagus, irritating the esophageal mucosa
●● causes of heartburn.
Answer: due to spasm from acid reflux
●● GERD complications.
Answer: esophagitis, strictures, ulcerations, esophageal cancer (the most
serious complication), and chronic pulmonary disease
●● Cleft palate.
Answer: palate results from failure of the hard and soft palate to fuse in
development, creating an opening between the oral and nasal cavity
●● Cleft lip.
Answer: Cleft lip results from failure of the maxillary processes and
nasal elevations or upper lip to fuse during development
●● .
Answer: Can affect one's appearance and may lead to feeding issues,
speech problems, ear infections, and hearing problems
ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT FINAL PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
●● Causes of mechanical obstruction.
Answer: foreign bodies, tumors, adhesions, hernias, intussusception
(telescoping), volvulus, strictures, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis,
Hirschsprung's disease, and fecal impaction
●● Causes of functional obstruction.
Answer: neurologic impairment; intra-abdominal surgery complications;
chemical, electrolyte, and mineral disturbances; infections; abdominal
blood supply impairment; renal and lung disease; and medications (e.g.,
narcotics)
●● peritonitis.
Answer: inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the
abdominal cavity and surrounding the organs within it)
●● Why does the abdomen become rigid with peritonitis?.
Answer: Due to inflammation And abdominal muscle spasms
,●● Ulcerative colitis V Chron's.
Answer: UC:
- Condition in mucosa only
- Begins in the rectum and then extends to the entire colon
- Develops fast (20-30 sec)
- Rarely affects small intestines
- inflammation triggered by T cells accumulation in mucosa
Chron's:
- Condition that is full thickness
- Can be anywhere in small/large intestine (colon)
- Cobblestone appearance (fissures/nodules)
- loses ability to digest and absorb
- Abd. pain in right lower quadrant
- Intestinal wall is thick/rigid
- Progressive condition that is slow developing
●● pancreatitis.
Answer: inflammation of the pancreas (acute/chronic)
●● acute pancreatitis.
Answer: Cholelithiasis
-Medical emergency
,- sudden and severe
●● chronic pancreatitis.
Answer: Alcohol abuse
- gradual but harmful effects
●● acute pancreatitis manifestations.
Answer: - Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back, worsens after
eating, and is somewhat relieved by leaning forward or pulling the knees
toward the chest
-Nausea and vomiting
-Mild jaundice
-Low-grade fever
-Blood pressure and pulse changes
●● chronic pancreatitis manifestations.
Answer: -Upper abdominal pain
-Indigestion
-Losing weight without trying
-Steatorrhea
-Constipation
-Flatulence
, ●● Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):.
Answer: chyme or bile periodically backs up from the stomach into the
esophagus, irritating the esophageal mucosa
●● causes of heartburn.
Answer: due to spasm from acid reflux
●● GERD complications.
Answer: esophagitis, strictures, ulcerations, esophageal cancer (the most
serious complication), and chronic pulmonary disease
●● Cleft palate.
Answer: palate results from failure of the hard and soft palate to fuse in
development, creating an opening between the oral and nasal cavity
●● Cleft lip.
Answer: Cleft lip results from failure of the maxillary processes and
nasal elevations or upper lip to fuse during development
●● .
Answer: Can affect one's appearance and may lead to feeding issues,
speech problems, ear infections, and hearing problems
