Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, and Pancreatic Assessment, Pathophysiology,
Diagnostics, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Complications, Nursing Interventions,
Patient Education, Dysphagia, GERD, Gastritis, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis,
Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Intestinal Obstruction,
Perforation, Hepatitis A/B/C, Cirrhosis, Ascites, Esophageal Varices, Hepatic
Encephalopathy, Pancreatitis, Cholelithiasis, Postoperative Care, Fluid and
Electrolyte Management, Pain Management, Hemodynamic Stability,
Evidence-Based Nursing Priorities NRSG 337 Exam 4 Verified Questions
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the pathophysiology/potential causes of dysphagia?
decreased muscle strength and function, impaired dental status, neurologic conditions (stroke,
dementia, medications)
What is the pathophysiology of gastritis?
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Causes include meds (NSAIDs, corticosteroids), alcohol,
microorganisms, diseases. Can be acute or chronic
What is the pathophysiology of GERD?
Mucosal damage; symptoms from gastric acid reflux into the lower esophagus
What is the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease?
GI mucosa erodes from HCl and pepsin. Can be acute or chronic. (h. pylori infection, meds: NSAIDs,
steroids, SRMD, ETOH, smoking, coffee)
,What is the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease?
autoimmune disease of unknown cause. Genetic link. Environmental trigger initiates abnormal immune
response
What is the pathophysiology of irritable bowel?
cause unknown
What is the pathophysiology of Diverticulitis?
Inflammation of the diverticula
What is the pathophysiology of constipation?
depends on cause.
Decreased GI motility (inactivity, meds such as opioids), Decreased fluids, Decreased fiber
What is the pathophysiology of Diarrhea?
depends on cause.
Infectious agent or antibiotics, motility, inflammation, increased peristalsis (IBS, IBD), malabsorption
(celiac)
What is the pathophysiology of an intestinal obstruction?
intestinal contents cannot pass through the GI tract due to a mechanical (adhesion, tumor), or non-
mechanical (paralytic ileus) cause
What is the pathophysiology of perforation?
,Potential complication of PUD, appendicitis, IBD, and diverticulitis
GI contents spill into the sterile peritoneal space
What are risk factors for gastritis?
1. drugs: NSAIDs, corticosteroids
2. Diet: alcohol, spicy foods
3. Microorganisms: H. pylori
4. Other: physiologic stress, smoking, autoimmune disease
What are risk factors for pancreatitis?
1. Gallbladder disease
2. Chronic alcohol use
3. Drug reaction
4. Pancreatic cancer
5. Hypertriglyceridemia
What are risk factors for peptic ulcer disease?
1. H. pylori
2. Medication induced injury: NSAIDs, corticosteroids
3. High alcohol intake
4. Smoking
5. Stress related mucosal disease
What are risk factors for cholelithiasis?
, The 6-F rule refers to risk factors for the development of cholelithiasis in an event of upper abdominal
pain:
Fair: more prevalent in Caucasian population
Fat: BMI >30
Female gender
Fertile: one or more children
Forty: age ≥40
Familial: sickle cell and other hemolytic disorders
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
fecal oral route:
*contaminated food or drinking water
*Poor hygiene
*improper handling of food
*crowded conditions
what can be done to prevent hepatitis a transmission?
vaccination, handwashing
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
blood and body fluids
*contaminated needles
*Perinatal (infected mother to fetus)
*sexual activity
*tattoos and piercings
Diagnostics, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Complications, Nursing Interventions,
Patient Education, Dysphagia, GERD, Gastritis, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis,
Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Intestinal Obstruction,
Perforation, Hepatitis A/B/C, Cirrhosis, Ascites, Esophageal Varices, Hepatic
Encephalopathy, Pancreatitis, Cholelithiasis, Postoperative Care, Fluid and
Electrolyte Management, Pain Management, Hemodynamic Stability,
Evidence-Based Nursing Priorities NRSG 337 Exam 4 Verified Questions
Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the pathophysiology/potential causes of dysphagia?
decreased muscle strength and function, impaired dental status, neurologic conditions (stroke,
dementia, medications)
What is the pathophysiology of gastritis?
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Causes include meds (NSAIDs, corticosteroids), alcohol,
microorganisms, diseases. Can be acute or chronic
What is the pathophysiology of GERD?
Mucosal damage; symptoms from gastric acid reflux into the lower esophagus
What is the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease?
GI mucosa erodes from HCl and pepsin. Can be acute or chronic. (h. pylori infection, meds: NSAIDs,
steroids, SRMD, ETOH, smoking, coffee)
,What is the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease?
autoimmune disease of unknown cause. Genetic link. Environmental trigger initiates abnormal immune
response
What is the pathophysiology of irritable bowel?
cause unknown
What is the pathophysiology of Diverticulitis?
Inflammation of the diverticula
What is the pathophysiology of constipation?
depends on cause.
Decreased GI motility (inactivity, meds such as opioids), Decreased fluids, Decreased fiber
What is the pathophysiology of Diarrhea?
depends on cause.
Infectious agent or antibiotics, motility, inflammation, increased peristalsis (IBS, IBD), malabsorption
(celiac)
What is the pathophysiology of an intestinal obstruction?
intestinal contents cannot pass through the GI tract due to a mechanical (adhesion, tumor), or non-
mechanical (paralytic ileus) cause
What is the pathophysiology of perforation?
,Potential complication of PUD, appendicitis, IBD, and diverticulitis
GI contents spill into the sterile peritoneal space
What are risk factors for gastritis?
1. drugs: NSAIDs, corticosteroids
2. Diet: alcohol, spicy foods
3. Microorganisms: H. pylori
4. Other: physiologic stress, smoking, autoimmune disease
What are risk factors for pancreatitis?
1. Gallbladder disease
2. Chronic alcohol use
3. Drug reaction
4. Pancreatic cancer
5. Hypertriglyceridemia
What are risk factors for peptic ulcer disease?
1. H. pylori
2. Medication induced injury: NSAIDs, corticosteroids
3. High alcohol intake
4. Smoking
5. Stress related mucosal disease
What are risk factors for cholelithiasis?
, The 6-F rule refers to risk factors for the development of cholelithiasis in an event of upper abdominal
pain:
Fair: more prevalent in Caucasian population
Fat: BMI >30
Female gender
Fertile: one or more children
Forty: age ≥40
Familial: sickle cell and other hemolytic disorders
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
fecal oral route:
*contaminated food or drinking water
*Poor hygiene
*improper handling of food
*crowded conditions
what can be done to prevent hepatitis a transmission?
vaccination, handwashing
How is hepatitis B transmitted?
blood and body fluids
*contaminated needles
*Perinatal (infected mother to fetus)
*sexual activity
*tattoos and piercings
