ESSENTIALS OF
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – EXAM #2
REVIEW SHEET 2026 UPDATED
QUESTIONS VERIFIED
1. What is gastritis? What are causes?
• Inflammation of the stomach lining.
• Gastritis is caused by ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDS,
consequence of viral, bacterial, or autoimmune diseases.
•
2. What is GERD? What are causes to this condition? What are complications of GERD if left untreated?
• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (contents of the stomach coming up)
• Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter, which
causes inflammation of stomach and small intestine.
• Causes: any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal
pressure, fatty foods, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoke, pregnancy, anatomic
features (ex. hiatal hernia)
• Symptoms: Heart burn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia
• Complications: Barret Esophagus (columnar tissue replaces normal squamous epithelium of the
distal esophagus), progression can lead to ulceration or fibrotic scarring, esophageal strictures,
ppapillo
• pulmonary symptoms (cough, asthma, laryngitis from reflux in breathing passages)
3. Review signs and symptoms of peptic use. What is the role of H. pylori in this condition?
• It’s disorders of the upper GI tract caused by action of acid and pepsin.
• H. Pylori which is a key role in promoting both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation. It thrives in
acidic conditions, slows rate of ulcer healing, high rate of reoccurrence, clearance of H. Pylori
promotes ulcer healing.
• Signs and symptoms: epigastric burning that is usually relieved by the intake of food, especially
dairy or antacids, pain of ulcers usually occurs on an empty stomach. Life threatening
complications can also include GI bleeding.
4. What is pseudomembranous colitis? What contributes to this condition? What are ways that it can
be treated?
• It is acute inflammation and necrosis of the large intestine that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain,
fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic perforation.
• Caused by Clostridium difficile and mediated by bacterial toxins.
• Treatment: stop current antibiotic if possible, treat ischemia, treat contributing conditions, oral
antibiotics such as metronidazole or vancomycin, fecal transplant, but reoccurrence is common.
5. Review examples of inflammatory bowel conditions and their causes such as Crohn’s disease,
ulcerative colitis, celiac disease
• Ulcerative colitis: chronic inflammatory disease of mucosa of the rectum and colon which
causes large ulcers. Begins as inflammation at base of crypts of Lieberkühn and damage results,
1
, then abscess formation in crypts and abscesses begin to develop in epithelium.
• Crohn disease: AKA regional enteritis or granulomatous colitis. Cause is unknown.
2
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – EXAM #2
REVIEW SHEET 2026 UPDATED
QUESTIONS VERIFIED
1. What is gastritis? What are causes?
• Inflammation of the stomach lining.
• Gastritis is caused by ingestion of irritating substances such as alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDS,
consequence of viral, bacterial, or autoimmune diseases.
•
2. What is GERD? What are causes to this condition? What are complications of GERD if left untreated?
• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (contents of the stomach coming up)
• Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter, which
causes inflammation of stomach and small intestine.
• Causes: any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal
pressure, fatty foods, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoke, pregnancy, anatomic
features (ex. hiatal hernia)
• Symptoms: Heart burn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia
• Complications: Barret Esophagus (columnar tissue replaces normal squamous epithelium of the
distal esophagus), progression can lead to ulceration or fibrotic scarring, esophageal strictures,
ppapillo
• pulmonary symptoms (cough, asthma, laryngitis from reflux in breathing passages)
3. Review signs and symptoms of peptic use. What is the role of H. pylori in this condition?
• It’s disorders of the upper GI tract caused by action of acid and pepsin.
• H. Pylori which is a key role in promoting both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation. It thrives in
acidic conditions, slows rate of ulcer healing, high rate of reoccurrence, clearance of H. Pylori
promotes ulcer healing.
• Signs and symptoms: epigastric burning that is usually relieved by the intake of food, especially
dairy or antacids, pain of ulcers usually occurs on an empty stomach. Life threatening
complications can also include GI bleeding.
4. What is pseudomembranous colitis? What contributes to this condition? What are ways that it can
be treated?
• It is acute inflammation and necrosis of the large intestine that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain,
fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic perforation.
• Caused by Clostridium difficile and mediated by bacterial toxins.
• Treatment: stop current antibiotic if possible, treat ischemia, treat contributing conditions, oral
antibiotics such as metronidazole or vancomycin, fecal transplant, but reoccurrence is common.
5. Review examples of inflammatory bowel conditions and their causes such as Crohn’s disease,
ulcerative colitis, celiac disease
• Ulcerative colitis: chronic inflammatory disease of mucosa of the rectum and colon which
causes large ulcers. Begins as inflammation at base of crypts of Lieberkühn and damage results,
1
, then abscess formation in crypts and abscesses begin to develop in epithelium.
• Crohn disease: AKA regional enteritis or granulomatous colitis. Cause is unknown.
2
