NURS 611-Patho Exam 4 Comprehensive Review Questions and Answers 2026 UPDATED

1. Exposure to which substance protects the mucosal barrier of the stomach? a. Prostaglandins b. Helicobacter pylori c. Aspirin d. Regurgitated bile Prostaglandins. Prostaglandins and enterogastrones, such as gastric inhibitory peptide, somatostatin, and secretin, inhibit acid secretion. 2. Glucose transport enhances the absorption of which electrolyte? a. Sodium b. Potassium c. Phosphate d. Chloride Sodium. Sodium passes through the tight junctions and is actively transported across cell membranes. Sodium and glucose share a common active transport carrier (sodium-glucose ligand transporter 1 [SGLT1]). 3. What is the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease? a. Excessive production of hydrochloric acid b. Zone of low pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter c. Presence of Helicobacter pylori in the esophagus d. Reverse muscular peristalsis of the esophagus Zone of low pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. Normally, the resting tone of the lower esophageal sphincter maintains a zone of high pressure that prevents gastroesophageal reflux. In individuals who develop reflux esophagitis, this pressure tends to be lower than normal from either transient relaxation or a weakness of the sphincter. 4. By what mechanism does intussusception cause an intestinal obstruction? a. Telescoping of part of the intestine into another section of intestine, usually causing strangulation of the blood supply b. Twisting the intestine on its mesenteric pedicle, causing occlusion of the blood supply c. Loss of peristaltic motor activity in the intestine, causing an adynamic ileus d. Forming fibrin and scar tissue that attach to the intestinal omentum, causing obstruction A. Intussusception is the telescoping of part of the intestine into another section of intestine, usually causing strangulation of the blood supply. 5. What is the most immediate result of a small intestinal obstruction? a. Vomiting b. Electrolyte imbalances c. Dehydration d. Distention Distention begins almost immediately, as gases and fluids accumulate proximal to the obstruction. Within 24 hours, up to 8 L of fluid and electrolytes enters the lumen in the form of saliva, gastric juice, bile, pancreatic juice, and intestinal secretions. Copious vomiting or sequestration of fluids in the intestinal lumen prevents their reabsorption and produces severe fluid and electrolyte disturbances. 6. An intestinal obstruction at the pylorus or high in the small intestine causes metabolic alkalosis by causing which outcome? a. Gain of bicarbonate from pancreatic secretions that cannot be absorbed b. Excessive loss of hydrogen ions normally absorbed from gastric juices c. Excessive loss of potassium, promoting atony of the intestinal wall d. Loss of bile acid secretions that cannot be absorbed Excessive loss of hydrogen ions. If the obstruction is at the pylorus or high in the small intestine, then metabolic alkalosis initially develops as a result of excessive loss of hydrogen ions that normally would be reabsorbed from the gastric juices. 7. What are the cardinal symptoms of small intestinal obstruction? a. Constant, dull pain in the lower abdomen relieved by defecation b. Acute, intermittent pain 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating c. Colicky pain caused by distention, followed by vomiting d. Excruciating pain in the hypogastric area caused by ischemia Colicky pain caused by distention followed by vomiting. 8. What is the primary cause of peptic ulcers? a. Hypersecretion of gastric acid b. Helicobacter pylori c. Hyposecretion of pepsin d. Escherichia coli Helicobacter pylori. 9. A peptic ulcer may occur in all of the following areas except the: a. Stomach b. Jejunum c. Duodenum d. Esophagus Jejunum