Alterations of Digestive Function Exam/ Practice Exam Questions
with Correct Verified Answers – Latest Update 2024 – Rated A+
What type of diarrhea is a result of lactase deficiency?
a. Motility
b. Osmotic
c. Secretory
d. Small-volume - Correct Answer - ANS: B
Malabsorption related to lactase deficiency, pancreatic enzyme or bile salt deficiency, small intestine
bacterial overgrowth, and celiac disease cause osmotic diarrhea. None of the other options are
associated with lactase deficiencies.
Which statement is false concerning how abdominal pain is produced?
a. Chemical mediators, such as histamine, bradykinin, and serotonin, produce abdominal pain.
b. Edema and vascular congestion produce abdominal pain by stretching.
c. Ischemia, caused by distention of bowel obstruction or mesenteric vessel thrombosis, produces
abdominal pain.
d. Low concentrations of anaerobes, such as Streptococci, Lactobacilli, Staphylococci, Enterobacteria,
and Bacteroides, produce abdominal pain. - Correct Answer - ANS: D
Low concentrations of anaerobes are not typically a cause of abdominal pain.
What is the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease?
a. Excessive production of hydrochloric acid
b. Zone of low pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter
c. Presence of Helicobacter pylori in the esophagus
d. Reverse muscular peristalsis of the esophagus - Correct Answer - ANS: B
pg. 1
,Normally, the resting tone of the lower esophageal sphincter maintains a zone of high pressure that
prevents gastroesophageal reflux. In individuals who develop reflux esophagitis, this pressure tends to
be lower than normal from either transient relaxation or a weakness of the sphincter. This selection is
the only option that accurately describes the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What term is used to identify frank bleeding of the rectum?
a. Melena
b. Hematochezia
c. Occult bleeding
d. Hematemesis - Correct Answer - ANS: B
Hematochezia is the only available option that is associated with frank bright red or burgundy blood
from the rectum.
What is the cause of functional dysphagia?
a. Intrinsic mechanical obstruction
b. Extrinsic mechanical obstruction
c. Tumor
d. Neural or muscular disorders - Correct Answer - ANS: D
Where in the brain is the vomiting center located?
a. Hypothalamus
b. Medulla oblongata
c. Pons
d. Midbrain - Correct Answer - ANS: B
The vomiting center of the brain lies in the medulla oblongata. The other locations listed are not related
to vomiting.
What type of vomiting is caused by the direct stimulation of the vomiting center by neurologic lesions
involving the brainstem?
a. Retch
b. Periodic
pg. 2
, c. Duodenal
d. Projectile - Correct Answer - ANS: D
Of the available options, only projectile vomiting is caused by the direct stimulation of the vomiting
center by neurologic lesions, such as increased intracranial pressure, tumors, or aneurysms involving the
brainstem.
Considering the normal frequency of bowel evacuation, how infrequently can evacuation occur and still
be considered within normal range?
a. Once a day
b. Once every 2 days
c. Once a week
d. Once every 2 weeks - Correct Answer - ANS: C
Normal bowel habits range from two or three evacuations per day to one per week.
How many stools per day are considered the upper limits of normal?
a. Two
b. Three
c. Five
d. Seven - Correct Answer - ANS: B
More than three stools per day is considered abnormal.
What is the cause of reflux esophagitis?
a. Immune response to gastroesophageal reflux
b. Delayed gastric emptying
c. Congenital anomaly
d. Secretory response to gastroesophageal reflux - Correct Answer - ANS: B
Delayed gastric emptying contributes to reflux esophagitis by (1) lengthening the period during which
reflux is possible and (2) increasing the acid content of chyme. None of the other options are accurate
descriptions of the cause of reflux esophagitis.
pg. 3
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