NR 283 Exam 3: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) GI, Hepatic, Biliary, Renal,
Endocrine, DM | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / GI / Hepatic / NR 283 Exam 3 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Renal / Endocrine / Diabetes
Q1
What is the normal function of the stomach?
CORRECT ANSWER Reservoir for food and fluid; breakdown and digest food using chemical enzymes
(pepsin, acid, gastrin); gastric contents become chyme; releases food into small intestine
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Gastrin stimulates acid secretion; pepsin digests protein; acid activates pepsin and kills bacteria.
● Chyme is the semi-fluid mass of partially digested food expelled into duodenum.
Q2
What is the normal function of the small intestine?
CORRECT ANSWER Absorption of nutrients occurs. Three parts: duodenum, jejunum, ileum. Contains
lactase and has villi/microvilli (accordion folds) to increase surface area.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Duodenum receives chyme and pancreatic enzymes; jejunum absorbs carbs/proteins; ileum absorbs B12 and bile
salts.
● Lactase deficiency causes lactose intolerance.
Q3
What is the normal function of the large intestine (colon)?
CORRECT ANSWER Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance; resistant bacteria assist in breakdown
of food; peristalsis. Three parts: ascending, transverse, descending.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bacteria produce vitamin K and some B vitamins.
● Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed, forming solid stool.
, Q4
What is the normal function of the gallbladder?
CORRECT ANSWER Stores and concentrates bile (made from bilirubin) to break down fat through bile
duct into small intestine
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bile emulsifies fats for absorption.
● Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) does not impair fat digestion long-term (bile flows continuously from
liver).
Q5
What is the normal function of the pancreas?
CORRECT ANSWERReleases the most acidic enzymes. Exocrine (posterior to stomach): lipase,
trypsin, amylase. Endocrine: hormones (insulin, glucagon).
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Lipase digests fat; trypsin digests protein; amylase digests carbohydrates.
● Pancreatitis causes elevated serum amylase and lipase.
Q6
What is the normal function of the liver?
CORRECT ANSWER Makes protein, produces bile, stores sugar (glycogen), removes dead RBCs and
free bilirubin, removes toxins from blood (drugs/alcohol), synthesizes cholesterol, acts as blood
reservoir. Hepatocytes are fastest regenerative cells.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Liver synthesizes albumin (maintains oncotic pressure) and clotting factors.
● Liver failure causes low albumin (edema) and coagulopathy (bleeding).
Q7
What is GERD? What are the causes?
CORRECT ANSWERReflux of acid and pepsin from stomach to esophagus. Causes: sphincter
malfunction, impaired esophageal motility, impaired gastric emptying,
caffeine/alcohol/smoking/spicy diet, hiatal hernia.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S/s: heartburn, acid regurgitation, dysphagia, chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, pain within 1 hour of eating.
● Risk factors: vomiting, obesity, pregnancy.
Endocrine, DM | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / GI / Hepatic / NR 283 Exam 3 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Renal / Endocrine / Diabetes
Q1
What is the normal function of the stomach?
CORRECT ANSWER Reservoir for food and fluid; breakdown and digest food using chemical enzymes
(pepsin, acid, gastrin); gastric contents become chyme; releases food into small intestine
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Gastrin stimulates acid secretion; pepsin digests protein; acid activates pepsin and kills bacteria.
● Chyme is the semi-fluid mass of partially digested food expelled into duodenum.
Q2
What is the normal function of the small intestine?
CORRECT ANSWER Absorption of nutrients occurs. Three parts: duodenum, jejunum, ileum. Contains
lactase and has villi/microvilli (accordion folds) to increase surface area.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Duodenum receives chyme and pancreatic enzymes; jejunum absorbs carbs/proteins; ileum absorbs B12 and bile
salts.
● Lactase deficiency causes lactose intolerance.
Q3
What is the normal function of the large intestine (colon)?
CORRECT ANSWER Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance; resistant bacteria assist in breakdown
of food; peristalsis. Three parts: ascending, transverse, descending.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bacteria produce vitamin K and some B vitamins.
● Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed, forming solid stool.
, Q4
What is the normal function of the gallbladder?
CORRECT ANSWER Stores and concentrates bile (made from bilirubin) to break down fat through bile
duct into small intestine
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bile emulsifies fats for absorption.
● Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) does not impair fat digestion long-term (bile flows continuously from
liver).
Q5
What is the normal function of the pancreas?
CORRECT ANSWERReleases the most acidic enzymes. Exocrine (posterior to stomach): lipase,
trypsin, amylase. Endocrine: hormones (insulin, glucagon).
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Lipase digests fat; trypsin digests protein; amylase digests carbohydrates.
● Pancreatitis causes elevated serum amylase and lipase.
Q6
What is the normal function of the liver?
CORRECT ANSWER Makes protein, produces bile, stores sugar (glycogen), removes dead RBCs and
free bilirubin, removes toxins from blood (drugs/alcohol), synthesizes cholesterol, acts as blood
reservoir. Hepatocytes are fastest regenerative cells.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Liver synthesizes albumin (maintains oncotic pressure) and clotting factors.
● Liver failure causes low albumin (edema) and coagulopathy (bleeding).
Q7
What is GERD? What are the causes?
CORRECT ANSWERReflux of acid and pepsin from stomach to esophagus. Causes: sphincter
malfunction, impaired esophageal motility, impaired gastric emptying,
caffeine/alcohol/smoking/spicy diet, hiatal hernia.
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S/s: heartburn, acid regurgitation, dysphagia, chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, pain within 1 hour of eating.
● Risk factors: vomiting, obesity, pregnancy.
