ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity is called
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: ascites. Ascites is the accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This condition can be caused by liver disease, heart failure, kidney disease, or certain cancers. Peritonitis (A) is inflammation of the peritoneum, not fluid accumulation. Hiatal hernia (B) is a condition where the stomach bulges through the diaphragm. Inguinal hernia (C) is the protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal. Hence, choices A, B, and C are incorrect in the context of excess fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity.
Question 2 of 5
The stomach produces acids, which denature protein, and popsin that digests protein. The cell membranes of the epithelial cells lining the stomach contain protein. The protein in the epithelial cells are not denatured or digested because
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: mucus coats the epithelium. The mucus layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents the acid and pepsin from coming into direct contact with the epithelial cells. This physical barrier helps to shield the cell membranes from denaturation and digestion. Choice A is incorrect because the type of protein in the cell membranes does not determine their resistance to denaturation and digestion. Choice C is incorrect because cell membranes are not destroyed, and mitotic activity does not play a role in protecting the cell membranes. Choice D is incorrect because hormones do not directly protect the cell membranes from acid and pepsin; rather, it is the mucus layer that provides the necessary protection.
Question 3 of 5
Bacteria and other foreign material absorbed by the small intestine are destroyed by ______ cells found lining the hepatic sinusoids.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages found in the liver that play a crucial role in immune defense. They are responsible for destroying bacteria and foreign material absorbed by the small intestine as they pass through the hepatic sinusoids. Kupffer cells phagocytize these pathogens, preventing their entry into the bloodstream. The other choices, B: hepatic, C: endothelial, and D: acinar, do not have the specific function of destroying bacteria in the hepatic sinusoids. Hepatic cells are liver cells, endothelial cells line blood vessels, and acinar cells are found in exocrine glands.
Question 4 of 5
You have the following symptoms: sudden abdominal pain, slight fever, loss of appetite, and nausea. You may have
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: appendicitis. Sudden abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, and nausea are classic symptoms of appendicitis. The pain often starts near the belly button and migrates to the lower right abdomen, where the appendix is located. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent complications like a burst appendix. Heartburn (B) typically presents with a burning sensation in the chest, and diarrhea (C) presents with loose, watery stools. Hemorrhoids (D) are swollen blood vessels in the rectum that cause discomfort but do not typically present with the symptoms described.
Question 5 of 5
Which single statement below, about the stomach, is actually correct?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because pepsinogen and gastric lipase are indeed two enzymes secreted into the lumen of the stomach. Pepsinogen is converted to pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins, while gastric lipase helps in the digestion of fats. A is incorrect because carbonic anhydrase is not a hormone but an enzyme involved in acid secretion. B is incorrect because Peyer's patches are actually found in the small intestine, not the stomach, and they are involved in the immune system. C is incorrect because the vagus nerve stimulates, rather than inhibits, acid secretion in response to a meal. In summary, D is correct as it accurately describes enzymes secreted in the stomach, while the other choices contain factual inaccuracies about stomach function.