COMMON DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT IN
ACUTE CARE FINAL EXAM REVIEW 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PREP
◉ IBS-D. Answer: Diarrhea-predominant subtype of Irritable Bowel
Syndrome.
◉ IBS-M. Answer: Mixed subtype of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
characterized by alternating symptoms.
◉ Clinical Presentation of IBS. Answer: Recurrent abdominal pain
(relieved with defecation), bloating, distention, altered stool
form/frequency, mucus in stool, no weight loss, bleeding, or
systemic signs.
◉ Management of IBS. Answer: Avoid triggers (lactose, caffeine,
FODMAPs), gradual fiber increase, stress management, regular
meals, hydration, and medications such as antispasmodics.
◉ Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease
affecting the colon only, characterized by mucosal layer
inflammation.
,◉ Crohn's Disease (CD). Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease that
can affect any part of the GI tract, characterized by transmural
inflammation and patchy 'skip' lesions.
◉ Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. Answer: Bloody diarrhea, urgency,
abdominal pain.
◉ Symptoms of Crohn's Disease. Answer: Diarrhea, weight loss,
malnutrition.
◉ Complications of Ulcerative Colitis. Answer: Toxic megacolon,
colon cancer.
◉ Complications of Crohn's Disease. Answer: Fistulas, strictures,
malabsorption.
◉ Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Answer: Malignant growth in colon or
rectum from adenomatous polyps.
◉ Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. Answer: Rectal bleeding, iron-
deficiency anemia, weight loss, change in bowel habits, abdominal
discomfort.
, ◉ Colonoscopy. Answer: Gold standard diagnostic tool for colorectal
cancer.
◉ Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations. Answer:
Colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45 for average risk; every
5 years starting before 45 for higher risk.
◉ GERD Differential Diagnoses. Answer: Peptic ulcer disease,
esophageal motility disorder, esophageal cancer, nonulcer dyspepsia,
cardiac issues, eosinophilic esophagitis, hiatal hernia.
◉ Pharmacologic Management of GERD. Answer: Antacids, H2
blockers, PPIs; avoid long-term use due to risks.
◉ Common Differentials for Nausea and Vomiting. Answer:
Gastroenteritis, obstruction, appendicitis, migraine, increased ICP,
medications, pregnancy, alcohol use, metabolic disorders.
◉ Common Differentials for Diarrhea. Answer: Acute infectious
causes or chronic conditions like IBD, IBS, celiac disease,
medication-induced.
◉ Gastroenteritis. Answer: Inflammation of stomach/intestines
causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
ACUTE CARE FINAL EXAM REVIEW 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PREP
◉ IBS-D. Answer: Diarrhea-predominant subtype of Irritable Bowel
Syndrome.
◉ IBS-M. Answer: Mixed subtype of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
characterized by alternating symptoms.
◉ Clinical Presentation of IBS. Answer: Recurrent abdominal pain
(relieved with defecation), bloating, distention, altered stool
form/frequency, mucus in stool, no weight loss, bleeding, or
systemic signs.
◉ Management of IBS. Answer: Avoid triggers (lactose, caffeine,
FODMAPs), gradual fiber increase, stress management, regular
meals, hydration, and medications such as antispasmodics.
◉ Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease
affecting the colon only, characterized by mucosal layer
inflammation.
,◉ Crohn's Disease (CD). Answer: Inflammatory bowel disease that
can affect any part of the GI tract, characterized by transmural
inflammation and patchy 'skip' lesions.
◉ Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. Answer: Bloody diarrhea, urgency,
abdominal pain.
◉ Symptoms of Crohn's Disease. Answer: Diarrhea, weight loss,
malnutrition.
◉ Complications of Ulcerative Colitis. Answer: Toxic megacolon,
colon cancer.
◉ Complications of Crohn's Disease. Answer: Fistulas, strictures,
malabsorption.
◉ Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Answer: Malignant growth in colon or
rectum from adenomatous polyps.
◉ Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. Answer: Rectal bleeding, iron-
deficiency anemia, weight loss, change in bowel habits, abdominal
discomfort.
, ◉ Colonoscopy. Answer: Gold standard diagnostic tool for colorectal
cancer.
◉ Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations. Answer:
Colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45 for average risk; every
5 years starting before 45 for higher risk.
◉ GERD Differential Diagnoses. Answer: Peptic ulcer disease,
esophageal motility disorder, esophageal cancer, nonulcer dyspepsia,
cardiac issues, eosinophilic esophagitis, hiatal hernia.
◉ Pharmacologic Management of GERD. Answer: Antacids, H2
blockers, PPIs; avoid long-term use due to risks.
◉ Common Differentials for Nausea and Vomiting. Answer:
Gastroenteritis, obstruction, appendicitis, migraine, increased ICP,
medications, pregnancy, alcohol use, metabolic disorders.
◉ Common Differentials for Diarrhea. Answer: Acute infectious
causes or chronic conditions like IBD, IBS, celiac disease,
medication-induced.
◉ Gastroenteritis. Answer: Inflammation of stomach/intestines
causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
