Structure and Function of the Gastrointestinal System

A student is studying the esophagus. Which statement made by this student to a faculty member is a correct one?

"The smooth muscle layers provide the peristaltic movements needed to move food along the length of the esophagus."

While explaining the function of the first mucosal layer of the lower two-thirds (2/3) of the esophagus, the pathophysiology instructor mentions which type of functions? Select all that apply.

Barrier to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms. Secretion of mucus to lubricate and protect the inner surface of alimentary canal.

A student is studying gallbladder function. Which gastrointestinal hormone stimulates contraction of the gallbladder?

Cholecystokinin

A nurse is concerned about a client's continual use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Which problematic occurrence is the nurse concerned about?

Damage to the gastric mucosa

Which aspect of gastrointestinal function is performed by the brush border enzymes of the villus structures?

Digestion of carbohydrates

The common bile duct opens into which part of the gastrointestinal tract?

Duodenum

T/F: The swallowing reflex is an entirely voluntary activity.

False

A student is comparing the actions of the gastrointestinal hormones. Which hormone acts as an appetite-stimulating signal?

Ghrelin

A client asks the nurse what part of the brain regulates appetite. Which is the best response by the nurse?

Hypothalamus

A resident of a long-term care facility has contracted Clostridium difficile with frequent diarrhea and hyperactive bowel sounds. What process in the small intestine is most likely accompanying the current status?

Inflammation is accompanied by an increase in peristaltic movements of the small intestine.

Which substance necessary for vitamin B12 absorption is produced by the parietal cells in the stomach?

Intrinsic factor

The dietitian explains to the client that food is digested and absorbed in the

Jejunum

Which statement is true concerning food digestion?

Protein digestion begins in the stomach.

Saliva contains which enzyme that initiates the digestion of dietary starches?

Ptyalin

A client with a systemic infection has been given strong doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics for a period of 10 days. The infection recedes and he is taken off the antibiotic therapy. Two days later he presents with a Clostridium difficile infection. How should the nurse best interpret this situation?

The client's antibiotics disrupted the microbial balance and allowed overgrowth

A client has been diagnosed with an incompetent pyloric sphincter. This client is experiencing a lot of abdominal pain and nausea. When this client vomits, the nurse should expect what type of secretions will be in the basin?

Thick, brownish, foul-smelling emesis

Which statement best captures an aspect of the process of fat digestion and absorption?

Triglycerides are digested with the aid of bile salts.

A client has experienced a stroke affecting the reticular formation of the medulla and lower pons. The nurse tells the client's wife that care must be taken with eating to prevent:

aspiration pneumonia

Which enzymes adhere to the border of the villus structures to allow access to carbohydrate and protein molecules?

brush border

What is the condition that is characterized by the rapid emptying of highly acidic and hyperosmotic gastric secretions into the duodenum and jejunum?

dumping syndrome

A nurse documents that the client has "steatorrhea." What did the nurse most likely assess?

fatty stools

While planning care for a client with irritable bowel syndrome, knowing the client has an increased amount of secretions with impaired GI absorption, the priority nursing diagnosis would be:

fluid volume defecit

Which nerve plexus controls the motility along the length of the gut?

myenteric

A client is not able to absorb vitamin B12. The nurse determines that the client is deficient in:

parietal (oxyntic) cells, which secrete HCl and intrinsic factor.

Serous fluid is contained in the:

peritoneal cavity

Which layer of the digestive tract constitutes the outer wall of the intestine and contains a serous fluid between its two layers?

peritoneum

An anatomy student explains that the funnel-shaped portion of the stomach that connects with the intestine is called which region?

pyloric region

A client reports chronic cramping, bloating, and diarrhea and is diagnosed with a deficiency in brush border enzymes within the small intestine. Which meal/snack, high in carbohydrates and protein, will likely exacerbate the client's signs and symptoms?

roast beef and a baked potato

Which structures are accessory organs that also aid in digestion? Select all that apply.

salivary glands pancreas liver

During a lecture about the function of the intestine related to food digestion, the faculty mentions that when the students consume foods high in acid, the intestines will:

stimulate the release of secretin, which then inhibits release of gastrin.

The production of chyme occurs in which organ?

stomach

Which carbohydrate is matched to its correct enzyme needed for digestion?

sucrose and sucrase

The client chews an apple and starts the process of swallowing. As food enters the client's esophagus, the nurse recognizes that which nerve innervates the sphincter in the lower esophagus?

vagus nerve

Biopsy results reveal that a client has a deficient amount of parietal (oxyntic) cells in his stomach. The client asks the nurse to explain what this means. The nurse explains that parietal cells secrete HCl and intrinsic factor, which is needed for absorption of:

vitamin B12