Question 1

Which organ is part of the alimentary tract?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pancreas
B)  Stomach
C)  Gallbladder
D)  Liver
E)  Spleen B

Question 2

An examiner can recognize a friction rub in the liver by a sound that is

Accepted Answer

A)  clicking, gurgling, and irregular.
B)  high pitched and associated with respirations.
C)  loud, prolonged, and gurgling.
D)  soft, low-pitched, and continuous.
E)  low pitched, tinkling, and unrelated to respirations. B

Question 3

You ask the patient to raise the head and shoulders while lying in a supine position. A midline abdominal ridge rises. You chart this observation as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  small inguinal hernia.
B)  large epigastric hernia.
C)  abdominal lipoma.
D)  diastasis recti.
E)  incisional hernia. D

Question 4

Peritonitis often produces bowel sounds that are

Accepted Answer

A)  decreased.
B)  increased.
C)  high pitched.
D)  absent.
E)  accentuated.

Question 5

The esophagus travels a route from

Accepted Answer

A)  anterior to the trachea through the mediastinal cavity.
B)  lateral to the trachea through the diaphragm.
C)  left of the trachea through the peritoneum.
D)  the anterior trachea through the cardiac orifice.
E)  behind the trachea through the mediastinal cavity.

Question 6

Before performing an abdominal examination, the examiner should

Accepted Answer

A)  ascertain the patient's HIV status.
B)  have the patient empty his or her bladder.
C)  don double gloves.
D)  completely disrobe the patient.
E)  uncover only the painful areas of the abdomen.

Question 7

When palpating the aorta, a prominent lateral pulsation suggests

Accepted Answer

A)  aortic aneurysm.
B)  normal pulsation.
C)  renal artery fistula.
D)  vena cava varicosity.
E)  coarctation.

Question 8

Conversion of fat-soluble wastes to water-soluble material for renal excretion is a function of the

Accepted Answer

A)  spleen.
B)  kidney.
C)  liver.
D)  pancreas.
E)  gallbladder.

Question 9

One major function of the liver is to

Accepted Answer

A)  secrete pepsin.
B)  emulsify fats.
C)  store glycogen.
D)  absorb bile.
E)  produce insulin.

Question 10

In older adults, overflow fecal incontinence is commonly caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  malabsorption.
B)  parasitic diarrhea.
C)  Meckel diverticulum.
D)  fistula formation.
E)  fecal impaction.

Question 11

The most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract is

Accepted Answer

A)  biliary atresia.
B)  meconium ileus.
C)  intussusception.
D)  Meckel diverticulum.
E)  pyloric stenosis.

Question 12

A 45-year-old man relates a several-week history of severe intermittent abdominal burning sensations. He relates that the pain is relieved with small amounts of food. Before starting the physical examination, you review his laboratory work, anticipating a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  elevated white blood cell count.
B)  decreased potassium level.
C)  positive Helicobacter pylori result.
D)  increased urine specific gravity.
E)  folate deficiency.

Question 13

Urinary incontinence that occurs from the inability to hold urine when the stimulus to urinate is perceived is called _____ incontinence.

Accepted Answer

A)  paralytic
B)  urge
C)  overflow
D)  functional
E)  stress

Question 14

Visible intestinal peristalsis may indicate

Accepted Answer

A)  normal digestion.
B)  intestinal obstruction.
C)  increased pulse pressure of aorta.
D)  aortic aneurysm.
E)  paralytic ileus.

Question 15

The family history of a patient with diarrhea and abdominal pain should include inquiry about cystic fibrosis because it

Accepted Answer

A)  only affects the GI tract.
B)  is one cause of malabsorption syndrome.
C)  is a curable condition with medical intervention.
D)  is the most frequent cause of diarrhea in general practice.
E)  is a common genetic disorder.

Question 16

A patient presents with symptoms that lead you to suspect acute appendicitis. Which assessment finding is least likely to be associated with this condition early in its course?

Accepted Answer

A)  Positive psoas sign
B)  Positive McBurney sign
C)  History of periumbilical pain
D)  Rebound tenderness
E)  Obturator muscle test

Question 17

What part of the small intestine forms a C-shaped curve around the head of the pancreas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Duodenum
B)  Ileum
C)  Jejunum
D)  Falciform ligament
E)  Pylorus

Question 18

Flatulence, diarrhea, dysuria, and tenderness with abdominal palpation are findings most associated with

Accepted Answer

A)  peptic ulcer disease.
B)  pancreatitis.
C)  ruptured ovarian cyst.
D)  splenic rupture.
E)  diverticulitis.

Question 19

Baby Joe is 6 months old. He has abdominal distention and vomiting and is inconsolable. A sausage-shaped mass is palpable in his right upper quadrant. Joe's lower quadrant feels empty, and a positive Dance sign is noted in his record. Which one of the following conditions is consistent with Baby Joe's symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  Intussusception
B)  Kidney stones
C)  Meconium ileus
D)  Pyloric stenosis
E)  Necrotizing enterocolitis

Question 20

To assess for liver enlargement in an obese person, you should

Accepted Answer

A)  use the hook method.
B)  test for cutaneous hypersensitivity.
C)  auscultate using the scratch technique.
D)  attempt palpation during deep exhalation.
E)  have the patient lean over at the waist.

Exam 17: Abdomen