NCLEX-RN : Gastrointestinal Conditions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX-RN

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Identifying Gastrointestinal Conditions

Which of the following is described as a malformation resulting in narrowing or absence of a portion of the intestine?

Possible Answers:

Volvulus

Intestinal atresia

Malrotation

Hirschsprung's disease

Correct answer:

Intestinal atresia

Explanation:

Intestinal atresia is a malformation resulting in narrowing or absence of a portion of the intestine. Duodenal atresia is the most common type, followed by ileal atresia. Hirschsprung's disease is an issue of innervation in the large intestine that can result in narrowing due to contraction, but there is no structural malformation in the bowel itself. Malrotation and volvulus are often seen together when a part of the intestine does not anchor or turn correctly during formation (malrotation) and then becomes twisted around itself (volvulus), resulting in constriction and loss of function.

Example Question #1 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What is the triad of symptoms often seen with intussusception?

Possible Answers:

Colicky abdominal pain, bilious vomit, and red "currant jelly" stool

Bloody vomit, black stool, and low back pain

Constipation, projectile vomiting, jaundice

"Coffee-ground" emesis, bloating, and diarrhea

Correct answer:

Colicky abdominal pain, bilious vomit, and red "currant jelly" stool

Explanation:

Intussusception occurs when part of the intestine folds into another section of intestine, much like a telescope. This results in sharp, crampy, or colicky abdominal pain, vomit of bile, and bloody red "currant jelly" stool. Black stool and "coffee ground" emesis are both symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (stomach, generally), while projectile vomiting may be associated with pyloric stenosis.

Example Question #1 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What is the most common location for diverticulitis?

Possible Answers:

Ascending colon

Sigmoid colon

Splenic flexure

Transverse colon

Correct answer:

Sigmoid colon

Explanation:

The most common location for diverticulitis is the sigmoid colon. This area generally has increased pressure as compared to the rest of the large intestine and is especially vulnerable to weakness in the muscle layers of the colon wall.

Example Question #2 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What part of the bowel is most often affected by Crohn's disease?

Possible Answers:

The ascending colon

The terminal ileum

The sigmoid colon

The rectum

Correct answer:

The terminal ileum

Explanation:

While Crohn's disease can affect any part of the alimentary canal, the small intestine, particularly the terminal ileum, is the most common site of serosal inflammation. 

Example Question #2 : Identifying Gastrointestinal Conditions

What is the characteristic mucosal alteration seen in ulcerative colitis?

Possible Answers:

Granulomas

Skip lesions

Thickened mucosa

Crypt abscess

Correct answer:

Crypt abscess

Explanation:

The characteristic histological alteration seen in ulcerative colitis is the crypt abscess, in which inflammation causes loss of goblet cells due to neutrophilic exudate in glandular lumens. Granulomas, thickened mucosa, and skip lesions are all seen in Crohn's disease.

Example Question #2 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

Frequent projectile, non-bilious vomiting starting 2-3 weeks after birth is indicative of what condition?

Possible Answers:

Infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Intussusception

Diverticulitis

Correct answer:

Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Explanation:

In congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, the smooth muscle of the pylorus becomes thickened, decreasing the lumen size of the pylorus. This prevents food from passing out of the stomach and into the small intestine, resulting in vomiting which is often projectile and tends to be non-bilious. Intussusception may show vomiting, but the more obvious sign is bloody "currant jelly" stools. Infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may result in frequent spitting up, but projectile vomiting is rare. Diverticulitis is generally a condition of the elderly and tends to present as abdominal pain with alterations in bowel function and mild fever. 

Example Question #4 : Identifying Gastrointestinal Conditions

What co-moridity is generally seen with esophageal varices?

Possible Answers:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Achalasia

Cirrhosis

Hiatal hernia

Correct answer:

Cirrhosis

Explanation:

Esophageal varices are most commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis due to portal hypertension. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with esophagitis and occasionally with metaplastic changes. Neither hiatal hernia nor achalasia are associated with esophageal varices.

Example Question #1 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What sign might indicate Hirshsprung's disease in a newborn?

Possible Answers:

Bloody stool 3-5 days after birth

Vomiting within 48 hours of delivery

Unrelenting crying

Failure to pass meconium within 48 hours of delivery

Correct answer:

Failure to pass meconium within 48 hours of delivery

Explanation:

While an infant with Hirshsprung's disease may have vomiting and bloody stool, the most common sign is failure to pass meconium within 48 hours of delivery. Hirschsprung's disease, which is an absence of innervation to the large intestine, which results in narrowing and constriction of one part of the bowel and dilation of the preceding segment, can be diagnosed by biopsy of the distally narrowed segment of the bowel.

Example Question #3 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What tissue of the gastrointestinal tract is affected in Celiac disease?

Possible Answers:

Small intestine, causing villous atrophy

Large intestine, causing ulceration

Stomach, causing gastritis

Rectum, causing fistulation

Correct answer:

Small intestine, causing villous atrophy

Explanation:

While individuals with Celiac disease can certainly have gastritis, fistulas, and ulceration due to inflammation, the primary effect of Celiac disease is villous atrophy in the small intestine. Villi become blunted, leading to loss of ability to absorb nutrients, including minerals and fat-soluble vitamins. 

Example Question #1161 : Nclex

Which of the following refers to bleeding from partial-thickness tears in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus?

Possible Answers:

Esophagitis

Barrett's esophagus

Mallory–Weiss syndrome 

Boerhaave's syndrome

Correct answer:

Mallory–Weiss syndrome 

Explanation:

Mallory–Weiss syndrome refers to bleeding from partial-thickness tears in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, often from trauma such as violent retching or coughing. This is compared to Boerhaave's syndrome, which is a full-thickness tear of the esophageal wall. Esophagitis is most commonly caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and does not present with bleeding. Barrett's esophagus refers to a type of metaplasia in the lower esophagus which is thought to be caused by chronic GERD.

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