,Geneva College NURS 231 Module 7 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. What is a unique feature of the liver regarding its blood supply?
A) It receives blood only from the hepatic portal vein.
B) It receives blood only from the hepatic artery.
C) It has a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic
artery.
D) It has no direct blood supply and relies on diffusion.
Correct Answer: It has a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and
the hepatic artery.
Rationale: The liver receives approximately 75% of its blood flow from the
hepatic portal vein (which carries nutrient-rich blood from the GI tract) and
25% from the hepatic artery (which provides oxygenated blood). This dual
supply is essential for the liver's metabolic and synthetic functions.
2. The liver is responsible for each of the following EXCEPT:
A) Producing bile
B) Storing vitamins and minerals
C) Releasing insulin
D) Synthesizing protein
Correct Answer: Releasing insulin
Rationale: The liver performs numerous essential synthetic, metabolic, and
storage functions, including producing bile, synthesizing plasma proteins
(e.g., albumin, clotting factors), and storing vitamins (A, D, B12) and
minerals. However, insulin is released by the beta cells of the pancreas, not
the liver.
,3. Which cells in the stomach are responsible for the secretion of
hydrochloric acid (HCl)?
A) Chief cells
B) G cells
C) Mucous cells
D) Parietal cells
Correct Answer: Parietal cells
Rationale: Parietal cells, located in the gastric glands of the stomach, secrete
hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. HCl creates an acidic environment
necessary for pepsin activation and pathogen destruction.
4. A patient with a duodenal ulcer reports that their abdominal pain is worse
when the stomach is empty and improves after eating. Which statement best
explains this classic pain pattern?
A) Duodenal ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection that is neutralized by
food.
B) Food stimulates the release of intestinal alkaline secretions that buffer
acid in the duodenum.
C) The pain of duodenal ulcers is not related to gastric acid secretion.
D) Duodenal ulcers are located in a highly acidic area and are worsened by
mechanical distention.
Correct Answer: Food stimulates the release of intestinal alkaline secretions
that buffer acid in the duodenum.
Rationale: Duodenal ulcers typically present with pain that is relieved by food
because eating stimulates the release of bicarbonate-rich intestinal
, secretions, which neutralize gastric acid in the duodenum. In contrast,
gastric ulcer pain is often worsened by food intake.
5. Which of the following represents a correct pairing of GI tract nerve plexus
and its primary function?
A) Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Controls motility and peristalsis
B) Myenteric (Auerbach) plexus – Lies between the mucosal and muscle
layers; controls secretions and local contractions
C) Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Lies between the mucosal and muscle
layers; controls secretions, absorption, and local contractions
D) Myenteric (Auerbach) plexus – Controls only secretions, not motility
Correct Answer: Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Lies between the mucosal
and muscle layers; controls secretions, absorption, and local contractions
Rationale: The submucosal (Meissner) plexus is located between the mucosal
and muscle layers and is primarily involved in controlling secretions,
absorption, and local contraction of each segment of the intestinal tract. The
myenteric (Auerbach) plexus primarily controls motility and peristalsis.
6. A 68-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and GERD reports
persistent heartburn that is not relieved by over-the-counter antacids. The
healthcare provider prescribes a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). What is the
primary mechanism of action of PPIs in treating GERD?
A) Neutralizing already-produced stomach acid
B) Coating the esophagus to prevent acid reflux
C) Blocking histamine-2 receptors to reduce acid secretion
D) Irreversibly inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase (proton pump) in
the stomach's parietal cells
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. What is a unique feature of the liver regarding its blood supply?
A) It receives blood only from the hepatic portal vein.
B) It receives blood only from the hepatic artery.
C) It has a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic
artery.
D) It has no direct blood supply and relies on diffusion.
Correct Answer: It has a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and
the hepatic artery.
Rationale: The liver receives approximately 75% of its blood flow from the
hepatic portal vein (which carries nutrient-rich blood from the GI tract) and
25% from the hepatic artery (which provides oxygenated blood). This dual
supply is essential for the liver's metabolic and synthetic functions.
2. The liver is responsible for each of the following EXCEPT:
A) Producing bile
B) Storing vitamins and minerals
C) Releasing insulin
D) Synthesizing protein
Correct Answer: Releasing insulin
Rationale: The liver performs numerous essential synthetic, metabolic, and
storage functions, including producing bile, synthesizing plasma proteins
(e.g., albumin, clotting factors), and storing vitamins (A, D, B12) and
minerals. However, insulin is released by the beta cells of the pancreas, not
the liver.
,3. Which cells in the stomach are responsible for the secretion of
hydrochloric acid (HCl)?
A) Chief cells
B) G cells
C) Mucous cells
D) Parietal cells
Correct Answer: Parietal cells
Rationale: Parietal cells, located in the gastric glands of the stomach, secrete
hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. HCl creates an acidic environment
necessary for pepsin activation and pathogen destruction.
4. A patient with a duodenal ulcer reports that their abdominal pain is worse
when the stomach is empty and improves after eating. Which statement best
explains this classic pain pattern?
A) Duodenal ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection that is neutralized by
food.
B) Food stimulates the release of intestinal alkaline secretions that buffer
acid in the duodenum.
C) The pain of duodenal ulcers is not related to gastric acid secretion.
D) Duodenal ulcers are located in a highly acidic area and are worsened by
mechanical distention.
Correct Answer: Food stimulates the release of intestinal alkaline secretions
that buffer acid in the duodenum.
Rationale: Duodenal ulcers typically present with pain that is relieved by food
because eating stimulates the release of bicarbonate-rich intestinal
, secretions, which neutralize gastric acid in the duodenum. In contrast,
gastric ulcer pain is often worsened by food intake.
5. Which of the following represents a correct pairing of GI tract nerve plexus
and its primary function?
A) Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Controls motility and peristalsis
B) Myenteric (Auerbach) plexus – Lies between the mucosal and muscle
layers; controls secretions and local contractions
C) Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Lies between the mucosal and muscle
layers; controls secretions, absorption, and local contractions
D) Myenteric (Auerbach) plexus – Controls only secretions, not motility
Correct Answer: Submucosal (Meissner) plexus – Lies between the mucosal
and muscle layers; controls secretions, absorption, and local contractions
Rationale: The submucosal (Meissner) plexus is located between the mucosal
and muscle layers and is primarily involved in controlling secretions,
absorption, and local contraction of each segment of the intestinal tract. The
myenteric (Auerbach) plexus primarily controls motility and peristalsis.
6. A 68-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and GERD reports
persistent heartburn that is not relieved by over-the-counter antacids. The
healthcare provider prescribes a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). What is the
primary mechanism of action of PPIs in treating GERD?
A) Neutralizing already-produced stomach acid
B) Coating the esophagus to prevent acid reflux
C) Blocking histamine-2 receptors to reduce acid secretion
D) Irreversibly inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase (proton pump) in
the stomach's parietal cells
