Gastrointestinal System Assessment: Master Physical Exam Techniques

Question 1

Which condition is a contraindication for a colonoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Diverticulitis

Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Rectal bleeding

Question 2

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus due to a weakened or malfunctioning:

Accepted Answer

Lower esophageal sphincter

Answer

Upper esophageal sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the gastrointestinal (GI) system?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Digestion of food

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Elimination of waste products

Question 4

During a physical examination of the abdomen, which of the following maneuvers is used to detect fluid accumulation?

Accepted Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Question 5

Which of the following cell types is responsible for secreting gastric acid?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Goblet cells

Answer

Enterocytes

Question 6

Which hormone triggers the release of bile from the gallbladder?

Accepted Answer

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Pancreatic polypeptide

Question 7

Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Accepted Answer

Obesity

Answer

Age

Answer

Family history

Answer

Gender

Question 8

What diagnostic procedure is considered the gold standard for evaluating esophageal disorders?

Accepted Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Barium swallow

Answer

Esophageal manometry

Answer

pH monitoring

Question 9

What is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the Western world?

Accepted Answer

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Answer

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD)

Answer

Viral hepatitis

Answer

Cirrhosis

Question 10

Which structure connects the esophagus to the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Gastroesophageal sphincter

Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Question 11

What are the characteristic symptoms of acute pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal pain, fever, nausea

Answer

Epigastric pain, vomiting, jaundice

Answer

Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation

Answer

Jaundice, dark urine, hepatomegaly

Question 12

What is the diagnostic test of choice for evaluating rectal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Capsule endoscopy

Answer

Barium enema

Question 13

Which of the following is a common complication of diverticular disease?

Accepted Answer

Diverticulitis

Answer

Colon cancer

Answer

Peritonitis

Answer

Cholecystitis

Question 14

What is the main function of the gallbladder?

Accepted Answer

Storage and concentration of bile

Answer

Secretion of pancreatic enzymes

Answer

Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins

Answer

Detoxification of blood

Question 15

What is the most common mode of transmission for hepatitis A?

Accepted Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food or water

Answer

Blood transfusion

Answer

Sexual contact

Answer

Intravenous drug use

Question 16

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes to aid in which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

Digestion of food

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Detoxification of waste products

Answer

Storage of bile

Question 17

Which portion of the GI tract serves as the primary site for nutrient absorption?

Accepted Answer

Small intestine

Answer

Large intestine

Answer

Stomach

Answer

Esophagus

Question 18

Which symptom is commonly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Accepted Answer

Heartburn

Answer

Fever

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Constipation

Question 19

Which factor increases an individual's risk of developing colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Age over 50 years

Answer

Engaging in regular exercise

Answer

Having high blood pressure

Answer

Adhering to a vegetarian diet

Question 20

Which diagnostic procedure allows for direct visualization of the large intestine's lumen?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Capsule endoscopy

Answer

Barium enema

Answer

Upper endoscopy

Question 21

Which symptom is commonly seen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Joint pain

Answer

Skin rash

Question 22

Which type of gastrointestinal bleeding is characterized by the presence of bright red blood in the stool?

Accepted Answer

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Hidden gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 23

In managing acute pancreatitis, which nursing intervention is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Administering pain medication

Answer

Promoting a high-fiber diet

Answer

Encouraging early ambulation

Question 24

Which surgical procedure is commonly used to treat esophageal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Esophagectomy

Answer

Colectomy

Answer

Pancreatectomy

Answer

Gastrectomy

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a component of the physical examination of the abdomen?

Accepted Answer

Fundoscopy

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Question 26

Which of the following structures is NOT part of the upper gastrointestinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Large intestine

Answer

Stomach

Answer

Duodenum

Answer

Esophagus

Question 27

During a physical examination of the abdomen, Murphy's sign is elicited by:

Accepted Answer

Palpating the right upper quadrant while the patient takes a deep breath and holds it

Answer

Auscultating the stomach for bowel sounds

Answer

Percussing the epigastric region

Question 28

Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with peptic ulcer disease?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Heartburn

Answer

Epigastric pain

Question 29

Which laboratory test is primarily used to assess liver function?

Accepted Answer

Liver function panel

Answer

Serum amylase

Answer

Complete blood count

Answer

Urinalysis

Question 30

Which of the following imaging techniques is commonly used to visualize the esophagus and stomach?

Accepted Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Colonoscopy

Question 31

Which medication class is commonly used to reduce acid secretion in the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Proton pump inhibitors

Answer

Antispasmodics

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Laxatives

Question 32

Which palpation maneuver is used to assess rebound tenderness, a sign of peritoneal inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Rapid withdrawal of hand after deep palpation

Answer

Gentle palpation with fingertips

Answer

Deep palpation with fingers and thumbs

Answer

Percussing the abdomen with fingertips

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Absorbs nutrients

Answer

Secretes hydrochloric acid

Answer

Digests proteins

Answer

Stores food

Question 34

What is the name of the valve that separates the stomach from the duodenum and prevents food from backing up into the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Lower esophageal sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Answer

Sphincter of Oddi

Question 35

Which portion of the GI tract is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption?

Accepted Answer

Small intestine

Answer

Stomach

Answer

Large intestine

Answer

Esophagus

Question 36

What is the function of the ileocecal valve?

Accepted Answer

Prevents backflow of colonic contents into the small intestine

Answer

Secretes bile

Answer

Regulates gastric emptying

Question 37

Which of the following is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Accepted Answer

Heartburn

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Constipation

Question 38

What is the most frequent cause of pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Gallstones

Answer

Alcohol abuse

Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Trauma

Question 39

What is the name of the endoscopic procedure used to visualize the lining of the upper GI tract?

Accepted Answer

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Answer

Upper GI series

Answer

Colonoscopy

Answer

Sigmoidoscopy

Question 40

Which of the following is a physical exam finding commonly associated with liver disease?

Accepted Answer

Jaundice

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Bradycardia