NUR 120 Gastrointestinal Nursing Exam: Acute Diarrhea, Chronic Diarrhea,
Secretory and Healthcare-Associated Diarrhea, CDI Management,
Probiotics, Vancomycin, Constipation, Anismus, Opioid-Induced
Constipation, Peritonitis, Appendicitis, Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, IBS,
Anal Fissure, Anorectal Abscess, Anal Fistula, Pilonidal Sinus, Bowel
Obstruction, Paralytic Ileus, Mechanical and Nonmechanical Obstruction,
Adhesions, Hernias, Intussusception, Volvulus, Mesenteric Occlusion,
Neoplasms, Ostomy Types, Ileostomy, Colostomy, Continent Ileostomy,
Cholelithiasis, Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, Biliary Colic,
Choledocholithiasis, ERCP, Laboratory Markers Exam Questions Verified
and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The passage of at least 3 loose or liquid stools per day.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea lasting 14 days or less
Acute diarrhea
Diarrhea lasting longer than 14 days
Persistent diarrhea
,Diarrhea lasting 30 days or longer
Chronic diarrhea
Acute diarrhea in a hospitalized patient that was not present on admission and starts after 3
days of being hospitalized.
Healthcare associated diarrhea
Occurs when ingested pathogens survive in the GI tract long enough to absorb into the
enterocytes. The resulting chain reaction changes cell permeability and causes the over
secretion of water, sodium, and chloride into the bowel.
Secretory diarrhea
The primary cause of acute diarrhea
Infectious organisms
Things that increase susceptibility to an infectious organism induced diarrhea
Age, PPIs, antibiotics, jejunal enteral feedings
Upper GI tract diarrhea symptoms
Large volume watery stools, cramping, periumbilical pain, nausea, vomiting, low grade or no
fever
,Lower GI tract diarrhea symptoms
Small volume bloody stools, fever
Severe diarrhea symptoms
Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, metabolic acidosis
C diff symptoms
Colitis, intestinal perforation
CDI adjunct therapy to help prevent the risk for recurrent CDI
Lactobacillus probiotics
CDI treatments
Oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for 10 days, IV metronidazole, FMT (all nonessential antibiotics,
stool softeners, laxatives, and antidiarrheal drugs should be stopped)
CDI with ileus treatment
Vancomycin enema
, Fecal incontinence anorectal diagnostic studies
H&P, rectal exam, manometry, ultrasound, electromyography
Diarrhea diagnostic studies
Stool culture, blood culture, GI hormones, WBC, BUN, creatinine
Fewer than 3 stools lasting less than 1 week
Acute constipation
Fewer than 3 stools lasting over 3 months
Chronic constipation
Peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists (methylnaltrexone, naldemedine, naloxegol)
indication
Decrease constipation from opioid use
Treatment for constipation due to anismus (uncoordinated contraction of the anal sphincter
during straining)
Biofeedback therapy
Peritonitis that occurs when blood-borne organisms enter the peritoneal cavity.
Secretory and Healthcare-Associated Diarrhea, CDI Management,
Probiotics, Vancomycin, Constipation, Anismus, Opioid-Induced
Constipation, Peritonitis, Appendicitis, Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, IBS,
Anal Fissure, Anorectal Abscess, Anal Fistula, Pilonidal Sinus, Bowel
Obstruction, Paralytic Ileus, Mechanical and Nonmechanical Obstruction,
Adhesions, Hernias, Intussusception, Volvulus, Mesenteric Occlusion,
Neoplasms, Ostomy Types, Ileostomy, Colostomy, Continent Ileostomy,
Cholelithiasis, Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease, Biliary Colic,
Choledocholithiasis, ERCP, Laboratory Markers Exam Questions Verified
and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The passage of at least 3 loose or liquid stools per day.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea lasting 14 days or less
Acute diarrhea
Diarrhea lasting longer than 14 days
Persistent diarrhea
,Diarrhea lasting 30 days or longer
Chronic diarrhea
Acute diarrhea in a hospitalized patient that was not present on admission and starts after 3
days of being hospitalized.
Healthcare associated diarrhea
Occurs when ingested pathogens survive in the GI tract long enough to absorb into the
enterocytes. The resulting chain reaction changes cell permeability and causes the over
secretion of water, sodium, and chloride into the bowel.
Secretory diarrhea
The primary cause of acute diarrhea
Infectious organisms
Things that increase susceptibility to an infectious organism induced diarrhea
Age, PPIs, antibiotics, jejunal enteral feedings
Upper GI tract diarrhea symptoms
Large volume watery stools, cramping, periumbilical pain, nausea, vomiting, low grade or no
fever
,Lower GI tract diarrhea symptoms
Small volume bloody stools, fever
Severe diarrhea symptoms
Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, metabolic acidosis
C diff symptoms
Colitis, intestinal perforation
CDI adjunct therapy to help prevent the risk for recurrent CDI
Lactobacillus probiotics
CDI treatments
Oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for 10 days, IV metronidazole, FMT (all nonessential antibiotics,
stool softeners, laxatives, and antidiarrheal drugs should be stopped)
CDI with ileus treatment
Vancomycin enema
, Fecal incontinence anorectal diagnostic studies
H&P, rectal exam, manometry, ultrasound, electromyography
Diarrhea diagnostic studies
Stool culture, blood culture, GI hormones, WBC, BUN, creatinine
Fewer than 3 stools lasting less than 1 week
Acute constipation
Fewer than 3 stools lasting over 3 months
Chronic constipation
Peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists (methylnaltrexone, naldemedine, naloxegol)
indication
Decrease constipation from opioid use
Treatment for constipation due to anismus (uncoordinated contraction of the anal sphincter
during straining)
Biofeedback therapy
Peritonitis that occurs when blood-borne organisms enter the peritoneal cavity.
