Gastrointestinal System Practice Test 1
Gastrointestinal System NCLEX Practice Test
Gastrointestinal System, within the NCLEX test plan under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations, reflects the core knowledge domains and conceptual competencies directly related to what the exam evaluates. The targeted number of questions is 50; designed with realistic clinical scenarios and conceptual variety to help you identify both your strengths and improvement areas.
This test is the 1st part of the Gastrointestinal System section. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Gastrointestinal System Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Gastrointestinal System Practice Test 1
Stomach have ____ sphincters?
- 3
- 2
- 0
- None of these
Explanation: Answer reason: The stomach has two anatomical sphincters: the lower esophageal (cardiac) sphincter at the entry and the pyloric sphincter at the exit. These regulate the movement of food into and out of the stomach and prevent reflux.
In stomach, the food is mixed with gastric secretions known as?
- Bolus
- Chyma
- Chyme
- Gastrin
- Saliva
Explanation: Answer reason: Once food reaches the stomach, it is mechanically churned and chemically mixed with gastric acid and enzymes, forming a semi-liquid substance called chyme. This material later enters the small intestine for further digestion.
The chemical breakdown of starch into simpler sugars begins primarily in which part of the digestive tract?
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
Explanation: Answer reason: The digestion of carbohydrates starts in the mouth, where the salivary enzyme amylase (ptyalin) begins converting starch into maltose.
The thick mucosa of stomach forms a lined up structures known as ____________?
- Fundus
- Mucosa
- Rough
- Rugae
- Stariae
Explanation: Answer reason: The stomach’s mucosa forms longitudinal folds called rugae, which allow expansion; other options do not name these folds.
The most common viral cause of jaundice is?
- Influenza
- Epstein-Barr Virus
- HIV
- Hepatitis A
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatitis A is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide and frequently presents with jaundice. Influenza, EBV, and HIV less commonly cause jaundice.
Gastrointestinal tract consist of?
- Two layers
- Tree layers
- One layers
- Four layers
Explanation: Answer reason: The wall of the GI tract has four basic layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa/adventitia.
Appendix is attached with ileum by its own mesentery known as?
- Mesentery
- Mesoappendix
- Mesocolon
- Omenta
- Pouch
Explanation: Answer reason: The vermiform appendix is suspended from the terminal ileum's mesentery by a peritoneal fold called the mesoappendix, which contains the appendicular vessels.
Large intestine is about _______ long?
- 1.5 meters
- 2.5 meters
- 2 meters
- None of these.
Explanation: Answer reason: The human large intestine measures about 1.5 meters (approximately 5 feet) in length.
Villi which are absent in?
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Appendix
- Cecum
- Colon
Explanation: Answer reason: Villi are characteristic of the small intestine. The large intestine—including the cecum, colon, and appendix—lacks villi and has only crypts.
The longest part of small intestine is Ileum measures about ____________?
- One fifth
- Four Fifths
- Three fifths
- Two fifths
- Two and a Half of Fifth
Explanation: Answer reason: The ileum constitutes the distal three-fifths of the small intestine (excluding the duodenum); the jejunum constitutes about two-fifths.
The arterial supply of the cecum is?
- Appendicular artery
- Superior cecal artery
- Posterior cecal artery
- Inferior epigastric
- Ileocolic artery
Explanation: Answer reason: The cecum receives blood from the anterior and posterior cecal branches of the ileocolic artery, a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Other options either supply adjacent structures (the appendix, the abdominal wall) or are not standard cecal vessels.
Diameter of the large intestine_________?
- About 5.5 cm.
- About 6.5 cm.
- About 7.5 cm.
- About 4.5 cm.
Explanation: Answer reason: Standard anatomical data: The large intestine measures about 1.5 m in length, with an average diameter of approximately 6.5 cm.
The following digestive enzyme is present in gastric juice?
- Pepsin
- Chymotrypsin
- Trypsin
- Peptidases
Explanation: Answer reason: Pepsin is the principal proteolytic enzyme of gastric juice, secreted as pepsinogen by chief cells and activated by HCl. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are pancreatic enzymes, while peptidases are mainly from the intestinal brush border.
The dome-shaped, gas-filled part of the stomach is called?
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
- Fundus
- Pylorus
Explanation: Answer reason: The gas-filled, dome-shaped portion of the stomach located superior to the cardia is the fundus.
The nurse is caring for a client with irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by?
- Development of pouches in the intestinal wall
- Alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
- Swelling, thickening, and abscess formation.
- Hypocalcemia and iron-deficiency anemia
Explanation: Answer reason: IBS is a functional bowel disorder marked by altered bowel habits—often alternating constipation and diarrhea—without structural inflammation or lesions. Diverticula (A) and transmural inflammation with abscesses (C) indicate other diseases; anemia or hypocalcemia (D) suggests malabsorption or IBD.
Which part of the stomach is the most tubular?
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
- Fundus
- Pylorus
Explanation: Answer reason: The pylorus forms the narrow, tubular distal segment of the stomach that leads into the duodenum, whereas the fundus and body are saclike and the cardiac orifice is an opening.
Which among these is the main clinical feature of pyloric stenosis?
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Projectile vomiting
- Constipation
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis causes gastric outlet obstruction in infants, producing the hallmark symptom of non-bilious projectile vomiting after feeds; weight loss or constipation may follow but is not the main defining feature.
Which enzyme helps in fat digestion?
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Pepsin
- Trypsin
Explanation: Answer reason: Lipase catalyzes the breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol; amylase digests carbohydrates, and pepsin and trypsin digest proteins.
How many openings are there in the stomach?
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
Explanation: Answer reason: The stomach has two orifices: the cardiac (esophageal) opening and the pyloric opening to the duodenum.
Which tubular structure joins the pharynx to the stomach?
- Trachea
- Larynx
- Cricoid cartilage
- Esophagus
- Carina
Explanation: Answer reason: The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach. The trachea and carina are respiratory structures; the larynx and cricoid cartilage are parts of the airway.
What is the dome-shaped, gas-filled part of the stomach called?
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
- Fundus
- Pylorus
Explanation: Answer reason: The fundus is the dome-shaped, superior portion of the stomach that often contains a gas bubble on imaging.
A client with pancreatic cancer has undergone a Whipple procedure. The nurse is aware that during the Whipple procedure the doctor will remove the?
- Head of the pancreas
- Proximal third section of the small intestine
- Stomach and duodenum
- Esophagus and jejunum
Explanation: Answer reason: The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) removes the head of the pancreas along with the duodenum and often part of the stomach, bile duct, and gallbladder. Of the options, removal of the head of the pancreas is correct.
Which layer of the stomach is responsible for peristaltic movement?
- Serosa
- Mucosa
- Muscularis externa
- Submucosa
Explanation: Answer reason: Peristalsis is produced by the smooth muscle layers of the muscularis externa (in the stomach: oblique, circular, and longitudinal).
What are the two-layered folds of peritoneum that connect the stomach to another viscus?
- Mesenteries
- Mesocolon
- Omenta
- Peritoneum
- Sigmoid mesocolon
Explanation: Answer reason: The greater and lesser omenta are two-layered peritoneal folds that connect the stomach to other abdominal organs. The mesentery attaches the intestines to the posterior wall, and the mesocolon supports the colon.
The majority of digestion processes take place in the?
- Mouth
- small intestine
- Large intestine
- Stomach
Explanation: Answer reason: Most chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine (especially the duodenum) via pancreatic enzymes and bile, with brush-border enzymes completing the breakdown.
How long does the stomach store food?
- 4–5 hours
- 7–8 hours
- 9–10 hours
- 2–3 hours
Explanation: Answer reason: Typical gastric emptying for a mixed meal is around 4 hours, reflecting the stomach’s reservoir function; thus, 4–5 hours is the best estimate.
Which of the following is a symptom of amoebiasis?
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rash
- Sore throat.
- Joint swelling
Explanation: Answer reason: Amoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica) commonly presents with abdominal pain and dysentery; the other options are not typical features.
All are functions of GIT except?
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Perspiration
- Assimilation
Explanation: Answer reason: Digestion, absorption, and assimilation are functions of the gastrointestinal tract; perspiration is a skin function, not a gastrointestinal function.
Which one of the following is an accessory organ of the GIT?
- Pharynx
- Jejunum
- Pancreas
- Vermiform appendix
Explanation: Answer reason: Accessory digestive organs include the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and salivary glands; the pharynx, jejunum, and appendix are not accessory organs.
What is the most tubular part of the stomach?
- Fundus
- Pylorus
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
Explanation: Answer reason: The pylorus is the narrow, tubular distal segment of the stomach leading into the duodenum; other regions (fundus, body, antrum, cardiac orifice) are more sac-like or orificial.
Which of the following is absent in the porta hepatis?
- Hepatic ducts
- Peyer's patches
- Hepatic vein
- Portal vein
Explanation: Answer reason: The porta hepatis transmits the portal triad: the portal vein, hepatic artery, and hepatic ducts (plus nerves and lymphatics). Hepatic veins do not pass through the porta hepatis; they drain directly into the inferior vena cava.
What is the first part of the small intestine?
- Cecum
- Colon
- Duodenum
- Ileum
- Jejunum
Explanation: Answer reason: The small intestine is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the duodenum is the first segment immediately distal to the stomach.
Which part of the stomach is the most tubular?
- Antrum
- Body of the stomach
- Cardiac orifice
- Fundus
- Pylorus
Explanation: Answer reason: The pyloric canal is the narrow, tubular segment of the stomach that leads to the duodenum, making it the most tubular part compared with the antrum, body, cardiac region, or fundus.
A tubular structure that connects the pharynx to the stomach is?
- Crania
- Cricoid cartilage
- Esophagus
- Trachea
- Larynx
Explanation: Answer reason: The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach. The other choices are airway structures or are unrelated.
The opening between the esophagus and the stomach is known as?
- Cardiac Orifice
- Junction
- Papilla
- pyloric orifice
- Pyloric Sphincter
Explanation: Answer reason: The gastroesophageal opening into the stomach is the cardiac orifice; the pyloric orifice/sphincter is between the stomach and duodenum, and papilla/junction are not the correct anatomical terms here.
A constant notch between the body and ________ of the stomach is called the incisura angularis?
- Antrum
- Fundus
- Pylorus
- Pyloric orifice
- Rugae
Explanation: Answer reason: The incisura angularis is a constant notch on the lesser curvature that marks the junction between the body and the pyloric antrum of the stomach.
The opening in the mid duodenum that receives the bile and pancreatic ducts is known as?
- Major duodenal papilla
- Minor papilla
- Orifice
- Pancreatic papilla
- Pylorus
Explanation: Answer reason: The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct unite to form the hepatopancreatic ampulla, which opens into the second part of the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.
When someone has hepatitis, which organ is affected?
- The lung
- The Liver
- The heart
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, so the liver is the affected organ.
Where are duodenal ulcers most frequently located?
- Bulb.
- Piloro.
- Folds of the duodenum.
- Descending portion or second portion.
Explanation: Answer reason: Most duodenal ulcers occur in the first part of the duodenum—the duodenal bulb—often within a few centimeters of the pylorus.
The main function of the liver is?
- Oxidation
- Reduction
- Production
- Detoxification
Explanation: Answer reason: The liver's key role is detoxification—metabolizing drugs and toxins and converting ammonia to urea—making it the best single main function among the options.
In which condition is Cullen's sign seen?
- Appendicitis
- Cholelithiasis
- Pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer
Explanation: Answer reason: Cullen's sign is periumbilical ecchymosis due to intraperitoneal bleeding, classically associated with acute pancreatitis.
Which organ is the appendix part of?
- Liver
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
Explanation: Answer reason: The appendix is a blind-ended tube attached to the cecum, which is part of the large intestine.
The enzyme present in the saliva is...?
- Renin
- Pepsin
- Trypsin
- Amylase
Explanation: Answer reason: Saliva contains salivary amylase (ptyalin), which begins starch digestion. Renin is renal, pepsin is gastric, and trypsin is pancreatic.
Presence of blood in stool is known as?
- Melana
- Lochia
- Hemoptysis
- Hematemesis
Explanation: Answer reason: Melena refers to blood in the stool (typically black, tarry stools from GI bleeding). Hemoptysis is coughing blood, hematemesis is vomiting blood, and lochia is postpartum vaginal discharge.
(Type) How are sliding hernias treated?
- Medicine
- Surgical
Explanation: Answer reason: Sliding hiatal hernias primarily cause gastroesophageal reflux and are managed with lifestyle measures and acid-suppressing medications; surgery is reserved for paraesophageal hernias or refractory complications.
Which human organ is mostly affected by alcohol?
- Brain
- Liver
- Lungs
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: Alcohol is primarily metabolized by the liver; chronic use causes fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, making it the organ most affected.
Which of the following conditions is a major cause of ascites?
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver cirrhosis
- T.B. peritonitis
- Malnutrition
Explanation: Answer reason: Ascites is most commonly due to portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia from liver cirrhosis; hypothyroidism, TB peritonitis, and malnutrition are less frequent causes.
Where is bile produced?
- Pancreas
- Liver
- gallbladder
- Spleen
Explanation: Answer reason: Bile is synthesized by hepatocytes in the liver; the gallbladder stores and concentrates it.
What disease causes yellowing of the eyes, skin, and urine?
- Malaria
- Cholera
- Cancer
- Jaundice
Explanation: Answer reason: Jaundice is characterized by hyperbilirubinemia causing yellow discoloration of the sclera and skin and dark/yellow urine.
Hydrochloric acid is secreted by which cells in the gastric gland?
- Goblet cells
- Gastric gland
- Parietal cells
- Chief cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is produced by parietal (oxyntic) cells; chief cells secrete pepsinogen and goblet cells produce mucus.
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