NR 511 MIDTERM EXAM 300 QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026
Alcohol, NSAIDs, ASA, ABX, and illicit substances - ANSWER-Most common
causes of N/V associated with gastritis
most common cause of nausea and vomiting - ANSWER-Acute Gastroenteritis
(AGE)
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain. May also include fatigue,
malaise, anorexia, tenesmus and borborygmus. - ANSWER-manifestations of AGE
Dehydration secondary to profuse watery diarrhea, fever greater than 101ºF
(38.3ºC), vomiting, or dysentery. - ANSWER-How the severity of AGE gauged
What are important parts of a patient's history when AGE is suspected? -
ANSWER-?Travel, dining locations, ABX history..
What happens to the pH of the stomach when antacids are taken and how does this
affect bacteria? - ANSWER-High pH can make it easier for bacteria to survive and
cause and infection.
Small bowel stasis as a result of obstruction, diverticulitis, or blind loop syndrome
frequently develop an overgrowth of bacteria within the stagnant segment. -
ANSWER-How motility of the GI tract affect bacteria colonization
,Bacterial: time frame suggests food poisoning resulting from the ingestion of a
preformed toxin such as that of Bacillus cereus. - ANSWER-Onset of N/V begin
within 6 hours after exposure. Is this bacterial or viral?
Which immunoglobulin may protect the GI tract against invading organisms? -
ANSWER-IgA...may also help protect against a future attack by the same
pathogen.
Incubation periods greater than 14 hours and the initial symptom of vomiting. -
ANSWER-two indications are highly suggestive of viral AGE?
If a patient presents with AGE and reports bloody stools, what can be understood
about the reason for blood in the stool - ANSWER-Mucosal damage and
inflammatory process secondary to invasive pathogens.
What do frothy stools and flatus suggest? - ANSWER-Malabsorption problem.
Patients with prolonged AGE illness who are malnourished may present with
edema. What is the reason? - ANSWER-Hypoalbuminemia
T or F: Chronic diarrhea usually has a noninfectious etiology. - ANSWER-true
T or F: Acute diarrhea usually is caused by infectious agents or toxins - ANSWER-
true
What is the most common viral pathogen causing AGE in adults? - ANSWER-
norovirus
,What is the most common viral pathogen causing AGE in pediatrics? - ANSWER-
Rotavirus. This has been greatly reduced since the introduction of the rotavirus
vaccine.
T or F: Stool studies are indicated in the absence of bloody diarrhea or systemic
disease - ANSWER-false
T or F: A CBC will help distinguish between viral and bacterial AGE - ANSWER-
false
Severe or prolonged diarrhea, a fever > 38.5ºC, bloody stools or stools that test
positive for leukocytes or occult blood. - ANSWER-When stool studies warranted
What are common pathogens involved in Traveler's Diarrhea? - ANSWER-
Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli.
Test for C. diff. What should the clinician do if the patient develops diarrhea after
initiation of completion of antibiotic therapy? - ANSWER-Test for C. diff.
IBS, IBD, ischemic bowel disease, partial bowel obstruction, small bowel
diverticulosis. - ANSWER-some DDx of AGE, particularly in patients with
persistent or chronic diarrhea and severe abdominal pain
Hypovolemia, dehydration, abnormal electrolytes, decreased renal function, bloody
stool/rectal bleeding, weight loss, severe abdominal pain, prolonged symptoms
greater than 1 week, pregnancy, advanced age, history of hospitalization or
antibiotic use in the last 3-6 months. - ANSWER-red flag symptoms that may
indicate the need for hospitalization
, What is the usual course of treatment for AGE? - ANSWER-Only supportive
treatment is initiated since AGE is usually self-limiting and resolves within 1 week
after onset of symptoms.
Fluid repletion and nutrition. Sports drinks aren't as effective as specific electrolyte
replenishing drinks. - ANSWER-How such patients with evidence of dehydration
be treated initially?
Signs of hypovolemia such as hypotension, tachycardia, pallor, and poor skin
turgor. - ANSWER-At what point should a patient be referred to the hospital for
dehydration?
T of F: Empiric antimicrobial therapy is recommended for patients with severe
diarrhea suspected form traveling. - ANSWER-True. Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin,
Norfloxacin, Floxacin.
T or F: Antibiotic prophylaxis for patients traveling to high-risk areas is
appropriate. - ANSWER-true
How effective is antibiotic prophylaxis for patients traveling to high-risk areas? -
ANSWER-90%
Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, or Floxacin given once daily until 2 days
after returning home. - ANSWER-Travelers antibiotic prophylaxis treatment
What is an appropriate symptomatic treatment for patients < 65 years or age with
moderate to severe diarrhea? - ANSWER-Two-day course of Loperamide
(Imodium)
ANSWERS LATEST 2026
Alcohol, NSAIDs, ASA, ABX, and illicit substances - ANSWER-Most common
causes of N/V associated with gastritis
most common cause of nausea and vomiting - ANSWER-Acute Gastroenteritis
(AGE)
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain. May also include fatigue,
malaise, anorexia, tenesmus and borborygmus. - ANSWER-manifestations of AGE
Dehydration secondary to profuse watery diarrhea, fever greater than 101ºF
(38.3ºC), vomiting, or dysentery. - ANSWER-How the severity of AGE gauged
What are important parts of a patient's history when AGE is suspected? -
ANSWER-?Travel, dining locations, ABX history..
What happens to the pH of the stomach when antacids are taken and how does this
affect bacteria? - ANSWER-High pH can make it easier for bacteria to survive and
cause and infection.
Small bowel stasis as a result of obstruction, diverticulitis, or blind loop syndrome
frequently develop an overgrowth of bacteria within the stagnant segment. -
ANSWER-How motility of the GI tract affect bacteria colonization
,Bacterial: time frame suggests food poisoning resulting from the ingestion of a
preformed toxin such as that of Bacillus cereus. - ANSWER-Onset of N/V begin
within 6 hours after exposure. Is this bacterial or viral?
Which immunoglobulin may protect the GI tract against invading organisms? -
ANSWER-IgA...may also help protect against a future attack by the same
pathogen.
Incubation periods greater than 14 hours and the initial symptom of vomiting. -
ANSWER-two indications are highly suggestive of viral AGE?
If a patient presents with AGE and reports bloody stools, what can be understood
about the reason for blood in the stool - ANSWER-Mucosal damage and
inflammatory process secondary to invasive pathogens.
What do frothy stools and flatus suggest? - ANSWER-Malabsorption problem.
Patients with prolonged AGE illness who are malnourished may present with
edema. What is the reason? - ANSWER-Hypoalbuminemia
T or F: Chronic diarrhea usually has a noninfectious etiology. - ANSWER-true
T or F: Acute diarrhea usually is caused by infectious agents or toxins - ANSWER-
true
What is the most common viral pathogen causing AGE in adults? - ANSWER-
norovirus
,What is the most common viral pathogen causing AGE in pediatrics? - ANSWER-
Rotavirus. This has been greatly reduced since the introduction of the rotavirus
vaccine.
T or F: Stool studies are indicated in the absence of bloody diarrhea or systemic
disease - ANSWER-false
T or F: A CBC will help distinguish between viral and bacterial AGE - ANSWER-
false
Severe or prolonged diarrhea, a fever > 38.5ºC, bloody stools or stools that test
positive for leukocytes or occult blood. - ANSWER-When stool studies warranted
What are common pathogens involved in Traveler's Diarrhea? - ANSWER-
Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli.
Test for C. diff. What should the clinician do if the patient develops diarrhea after
initiation of completion of antibiotic therapy? - ANSWER-Test for C. diff.
IBS, IBD, ischemic bowel disease, partial bowel obstruction, small bowel
diverticulosis. - ANSWER-some DDx of AGE, particularly in patients with
persistent or chronic diarrhea and severe abdominal pain
Hypovolemia, dehydration, abnormal electrolytes, decreased renal function, bloody
stool/rectal bleeding, weight loss, severe abdominal pain, prolonged symptoms
greater than 1 week, pregnancy, advanced age, history of hospitalization or
antibiotic use in the last 3-6 months. - ANSWER-red flag symptoms that may
indicate the need for hospitalization
, What is the usual course of treatment for AGE? - ANSWER-Only supportive
treatment is initiated since AGE is usually self-limiting and resolves within 1 week
after onset of symptoms.
Fluid repletion and nutrition. Sports drinks aren't as effective as specific electrolyte
replenishing drinks. - ANSWER-How such patients with evidence of dehydration
be treated initially?
Signs of hypovolemia such as hypotension, tachycardia, pallor, and poor skin
turgor. - ANSWER-At what point should a patient be referred to the hospital for
dehydration?
T of F: Empiric antimicrobial therapy is recommended for patients with severe
diarrhea suspected form traveling. - ANSWER-True. Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin,
Norfloxacin, Floxacin.
T or F: Antibiotic prophylaxis for patients traveling to high-risk areas is
appropriate. - ANSWER-true
How effective is antibiotic prophylaxis for patients traveling to high-risk areas? -
ANSWER-90%
Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, or Floxacin given once daily until 2 days
after returning home. - ANSWER-Travelers antibiotic prophylaxis treatment
What is an appropriate symptomatic treatment for patients < 65 years or age with
moderate to severe diarrhea? - ANSWER-Two-day course of Loperamide
(Imodium)
