Gastrointestinal

Question 1

What are the major functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?

Answer 1

Digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.

Question 2

What enzyme is found in saliva and begins carbohydrate digestion?

Answer 2

Amylase

Question 3

What enzyme does the stomach secrete for protein digestion?

Answer 3

Pepsin

Question 4

What pancreatic enzymes aid digestion?

Answer 4

Trypsin (proteins), Lipase (fats), Amylase (starches)

Question 5

Where does most nutrient absorption occur?

Answer 5

Small intestine

Question 6

What is the role of the large intestine?

Answer 6

Absorbs water and forms stool.

Question 7

What are common symptoms of GI dysfunction?

Answer 7

Pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), bloating, nausea, vomiting, stool changes

Question 8

What are signs of constipation?

Answer 8

Hard stools, bloating, straining, <3 bowel movements per week

Question 9

What are signs of diarrhea?

Answer 9

Loose, frequent stools (>3 per day), abdominal cramps

Question 10

What test is used to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum?

Answer 10

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Question 11

What test is used to screen for colorectal cancer?

Answer 11

Colonoscopy

Question 12

What breath test detects H. pylori infection?

Answer 12

Urea breath test

Question 13

What is a barium enema used for?

Answer 13

To evaluate the lower GI tract

Question 14

What is GERD?

Answer 14

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus

Question 15

What are common causes of GERD?

Answer 15

Incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES), hiatal hernia, obesity

Question 16

How is GERD managed?

Answer 16

Lifestyle changes (avoid caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods), PPIs, H2 blockers

Question 17

What is a hiatal hernia?

Answer 17

Protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm into the chest cavity

Question 18

When is enteral nutrition used?

Answer 18

When oral intake is inadequate but the GI tract is functioning

Question 19

What are the types of enteral tubes?

Answer 19

Nasoduodenal/nasojejunal (short-term), PEG tube (long-term), J-tube

Question 20

What are key nursing considerations for enteral nutrition?

Answer 20

Monitor tube placement, hydration, aspiration risk, and prevent infections

Question 21

What is acute gastritis?

Answer 21

Rapid inflammation of the stomach lining, often due to NSAIDs or alcohol

Question 22

What is chronic gastritis?

Answer 22

Prolonged inflammation due to H. pylori, autoimmune conditions

Question 23

What is peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

Answer 23

Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs

Question 24

What are complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)?

Answer 24

Bleeding, perforation, obstruction

Question 25

What are symptoms of appendicitis?

Answer 25

RLQ pain (McBurney’s point), nausea, fever, rebound tenderness

Question 26

What is peritonitis?

Answer 26

Inflammation of the peritoneum, usually due to perforation (appendix, ulcer)

Question 27

What is diverticulosis?

Answer 27

pouches in the colon

Question 28

What is diverticulitis?

Answer 28

infected/inflamed pouches in the colon

Question 29

How is bowel obstruction managed?

Answer 29

NG tube for decompression, IV fluids, surgery if needed

Question 30

What are common symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Answer 30

Blood in stool, weight loss, changes in bowel habits

Question 31

What is Crohn’s disease?

Answer 31

Full-thickness inflammation, anywhere in GI tract

Question 32

What is ulcerative colitis?

Answer 32

Mucosal inflammation, starts in rectum/colon

Question 33

How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) diagnosed?

Answer 33

CBC, C-reactive protein, stool tests, colonoscopy

Question 34

What medications are used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Answer 34

Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants

Question 35

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 35

Stores and releases bile for fat digestion

Question 36

What is cholelithiasis?

Answer 36

Gallstones

Question 37

How is cholelithiasis treated?

Answer 37

ERCP (stone removal), cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)

Question 38

What is pancreatitis?

Answer 38

Inflammation of the pancreas

Question 39

What are causes of acute pancreatitis?

Answer 39

Gallstones, alcohol use

Question 40

What are symptoms/signs of pancreatitis?

Answer 40

Severe epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, elevated amylase/lipase

Question 41

How is pancreatitis managed?

Answer 41

IV fluids, pain control, NPO, nutritional support

Question 42

What is the main difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis?

Answer 42

Acute – sudden, often due to gallstones/alcohol; Chronic – progressive, leads to pancreatic insufficiency

Question 43

What lab values are elevated in pancreatitis?

Answer 43

Amylase and lipase

Question 44

What is peristalsis?

Answer 44

series of wave-like muscle contractions that propel food through the GI tract

Question 45

What are symptoms of Dyspepsia (indigestion)?

Answer 45

heartburn, bloating, regurgitation

Question 46

What is a sliding hiatal hernia?

Answer 46

the stomach and lower esophagus slide up into the chest through the diaphragm

Question 47

What is a paraoesophageal hiatal hernia?

Answer 47

part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm next to the esophagus, but the lower esophageal sphincter remains in place

Question 48

What are complications of an esophageal perforation during an EGD?

Answer 48

Increased pain, bleeding (decrease BP and increased HR), difficulty swallowing, increased Temp

Question 49

What are complications of a bowel perforation during a colonscopy?

Answer 49

Rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, distention, tenderness, and guarding, fever

Question 50

What are symptoms of hiatal hernias?

Answer 50

Heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, fullness after eating