Lower Digestive System Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on Digestion and Absorption

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary role of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Digestion and absorption of nutrients

Answer

Elimination of waste products

Answer

Storage of ingested food

Answer

Production of digestive enzymes

Question 2

Which hormone triggers the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas?

Accepted Answer

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Insulin

Question 3

The primary function of the large intestine is to:

Accepted Answer

Absorb water and electrolytes

Answer

Digest proteins

Answer

Produce digestive hormones

Answer

Store undigested food

Question 4

Which of the following is a common symptom of constipation?

Accepted Answer

Hard, infrequent stools

Answer

Loose, watery stools

Answer

Abdominal cramping

Answer

Nausea

Question 5

The rectum serves as a temporary storage site for:

Accepted Answer

Feces

Answer

Urine

Answer

Bile

Answer

Gastric juices

Question 6

The anatomical junction between the large and small intestines is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Ileocecal valve

Answer

Cecum

Answer

Ascending colon

Answer

Transverse colon

Question 7

Which of the following is **NOT** a primary function of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Storage of waste products

Answer

Digestion and absorption of nutrients

Answer

Secretion of enzymes and hormones

Answer

Reabsorption of water and electrolytes

Question 8

Which of the following hormones stimulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas?

Accepted Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Insulin

Question 9

Which layer of the digestive tract contains smooth muscle, allowing for peristalsis?

Accepted Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Serosa

Question 10

Which type of bacteria is typically found in abundance in the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic bacteria

Answer

Gram-positive cocci

Answer

Gram-negative rods

Answer

Aerobic bacteria

Question 11

Which of the following is a key indicator of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Blood in the stool

Answer

Vomiting

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Constipation

Question 12

Which of the following is not a primary function of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Temporary storage of undigested food

Answer

Digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Production of enzymes

Question 13

Which of the following hormones is responsible for stimulating the contraction of the anal sphincter?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Question 14

Which condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the large intestine and can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Ulcerative colitis

Answer

Gastritis

Answer

Crohn's disease

Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome

Question 15

Which of the following enzymes is not produced by the pancreas as part of its exocrine function?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Trypsin

Question 16

Which physical adaptations of the small intestine increase its surface area, facilitating efficient nutrient absorption?

Accepted Answer

Increased length, mucosal folds, villi, and microvilli

Answer

Specialized digestive enzymes

Answer

Water and electrolyte absorption via osmosis

Answer

Thick muscular wall for peristalsis

Question 17

Which of the following nutrients is NOT predominantly absorbed in the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates

Answer

Water

Answer

Vitamins

Question 18

Which clinical feature is most indicative of inflammatory bowel disease, as opposed to irritable bowel syndrome, in a patient presenting with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss?

Accepted Answer

Presence of blood in stool

Answer

Alternating constipation and diarrhea

Answer

Abdominal pain relieved by bowel movements

Answer

Onset of symptoms after consuming specific foods

Question 19

Which aspect of overall health is primarily influenced by the microbiota residing in the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Immune system function

Answer

Nutrient absorption

Answer

Hormone production

Answer

Water regulation

Question 20

Within the small intestine, which specialized cells are responsible for the primary absorption of nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Enterocytes

Answer

Paneth cells

Answer

Goblet cells

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Storage of feces

Answer

Production of enzymes and hormones

Answer

Digestion of carbohydrates

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Question 22

Which part of the large intestine is primarily responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes?

Accepted Answer

Colon

Answer

Cecum

Answer

Rectum

Answer

Anus

Question 23

What is the primary function of the rectum?

Accepted Answer

Temporary storage of feces prior to elimination

Answer

Production of hormones

Answer

Digestion of fats

Answer

Absorption of vitamins

Question 24

What is the name of the valve that prevents backflow of feces into the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Ileocecal valve

Answer

Pyloric valve

Answer

Gastroesophageal sphincter

Answer

Sphincter of Oddi

Question 25

Which of the following is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal pain

Answer

Heartburn

Answer

Jaundice

Answer

Fever

Question 26

What is the name of the condition in which the colon becomes inflamed and ulcerated?

Accepted Answer

Ulcerative colitis

Answer

Crohn's disease

Answer

Appendicitis

Answer

Diverticulitis

Question 27

Which of the following is a potential complication of hemorrhoids?

Accepted Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Perforation

Answer

Jaundice

Answer

Malnutrition

Question 28

The large intestine is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Water absorption and formation of feces

Answer

Secretion of bile

Answer

Absorption of vitamins

Answer

Digestion of proteins

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a segment of the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Duodenum

Answer

Ascending colon

Answer

Transverse colon

Answer

Cecum

Question 30

The function of the appendix is:

Accepted Answer

Unknown

Answer

To absorb water

Answer

To produce digestive enzymes

Answer

To store bile

Question 31

The mucosal lining of the large intestine contains specialized cells known as:

Accepted Answer

Goblet cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Enterocytes

Question 32

Which of the following is a common cause of constipation?

Accepted Answer

Low fiber intake

Answer

High protein intake

Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Excessive water consumption

Question 33

The primary function of the lower esophageal sphincter is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus

Answer

Facilitate gastric emptying

Answer

Secrete digestive enzymes

Answer

Regulate intestinal motility

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss

Answer

Gas and bloating

Answer

Changes in bowel habits

Answer

Abdominal pain

Question 35

Which of the following statements about the small intestine is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The small intestine does not reabsorb water.

Answer

The small intestine is the longest part of the digestive tract.

Answer

The small intestine is where most chemical digestion occurs.

Question 36

What is the main function of the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

To absorb water and electrolytes.

Answer

To store undigested material.

Answer

To produce enzymes that break down proteins.

Answer

To continue digesting carbohydrates.

Question 37

What is the purpose of the villi in the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

To increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.

Answer

To produce mucus for lubrication.

Answer

To store food before digestion.

Answer

To prevent the passage of undigested material into the large intestine.

Question 38

Which hormone stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile?

Accepted Answer

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Answer

Gastrin.

Answer

Secretin

Question 39

What is the primary role of the pancreas in the lower digestive system?

Accepted Answer

To produce enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Answer

To store and release bile.

Answer

To absorb nutrients from the small intestine.

Question 40

Which of the following is a common functional disorder of the lower digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Addison's disease

Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Question 41

What condition occurs when the rectum protrudes through the anus?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhoids

Answer

Diverticulitis

Answer

Abscess

Answer

Fistula

Question 42

In caring for a patient with diarrhea, which nursing intervention is most important?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring hydration status.

Answer

Restricting fluid intake.

Answer

Providing a low-fiber diet.

Answer

Administering anti-diarrheal medications.

Question 43

Which part of the digestive system is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption?

Accepted Answer

Small intestine

Answer

Large intestine

Answer

Esophagus

Answer

Stomach

Question 44

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for the breakdown of proteins?

Accepted Answer

Protease

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Amylase

Question 45

What is the name of the muscular ring that regulates the flow of food from the stomach into the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Anal sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal sphincter

Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Question 46

What is the primary role of the appendix?

Accepted Answer

Immune function

Answer

Digestion of food

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Storage of bile

Question 47

Which type of intestinal villi is characterized by its flattened, leaf-like shape?

Accepted Answer

Leaflet villi

Answer

Circular villi

Answer

Folded villi

Answer

Longitudinal villi

Question 48

Which hormone is responsible for stimulating the secretion of gastric juices?

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Glucagon

Question 49

What is the name of the anatomical structure that connects the small intestine to the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Ileocecal valve

Answer

Anal sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Question 50

Which of the following is **not** a function of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Storage of feces

Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Secretion of enzymes

Answer

Digestion of carbohydrates

Question 51

What is the primary function of the large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Absorption of water

Answer

Secretion of hydrochloric acid

Answer

Storage of bile

Answer

Digestion of proteins

Question 52

Which of the following structures is responsible for the absorption of most nutrients in the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

Villi

Answer

Peyer's patches

Answer

Taenia coli

Answer

Crypts of Lieberkühn

Question 53

What is the name of the sphincter muscle that controls the release of feces from the rectum?

Accepted Answer

Anal sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Question 54

Which of the following is **not** a common disorder of the lower digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome

Answer

Hemorrhoids

Answer

Constipation

Question 55

What is the main cause of constipation?

Accepted Answer

Slowed movement of feces through the digestive tract

Answer

Increased production of gastric juices

Answer

Inflammation of the small intestine

Question 56

What is the primary function of the appendix (if known)?

Accepted Answer

Unknown

Answer

Storage of bile

Answer

Absorption of water

Answer

Production of digestive enzymes

Question 57

Which of the following is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal pain and cramping

Answer

Joint pain

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Fever and chills

Question 58

What is the most common type of cancer of the lower digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Colorectal cancer

Answer

Pancreatic cancer

Answer

Gastric cancer

Answer

Esophageal cancer