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Path 17B

front 1

A patient with bowel obstruction is being evaluated for definitive management. Which situation most strongly supports surgical intervention?

A. Functional ileus without ischemia
B. Partial obstruction improving clinically
C. Mechanical obstruction or infarction
D. Mild bloating after meals

back 1

C. Mechanical obstruction or infarction

front 2

Which combination of findings is most characteristic of intestinal obstruction?

A. Tenesmus, jaundice, melena
B. Vomiting, constipation, distention
C. Diarrhea, fever, hematemesis
D. Steatorrhea, urgency, flatulence

back 2

B. Vomiting, constipation, distention

front 3

Which group of conditions accounts for the large majority of mechanical intestinal obstructions?

A. Hernias, adhesions, intussusception, volvulus
B. Diverticulosis, angiodysplasia, hemorrhoids, fissures
C. Appendicitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholangitis
D. Ulcers, polyps, fistulas, strictures

back 3

A. Hernias, adhesions, intussusception, volvulus

front 4

Imaging confirms a mechanical bowel obstruction. Which statement best explains why the small intestine is most commonly involved?

A. It has thinner serosa
B. It has narrower lumen
C. It has weaker peristalsis
D. It has poorer blood supply

back 4

B. It has narrower lumen

front 5

A 54-year-old man develops a reducible groin bulge after heavy lifting. Which structure defines the protruding sac in a typical hernia?

A. Mucosal diverticular outpouching
B. Serosa-lined peritoneal pouch
C. Fibrotic mesenteric band
D. Submucosal vascular malformation

back 5

B. Serosa-lined peritoneal pouch

front 6

Acquired abdominal hernias most commonly occur at which sites?

A. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, scars
B. Jejunal, ileal, colonic, rectal
C. Splenic, hepatic, renal, pelvic
D. Duodenal, cecal, sigmoid, anal

back 6

A. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, scars

front 7

Hernias are the most frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in which setting?

A. In children only
B. In the United States
C. Worldwide
D. In postoperative patients

back 7

C. Worldwide

front 8

Obstruction from a hernia most often results from:

A. Mucosal ulceration
B. Visceral protrusion
C. Arterial embolization
D. Lymphatic fibrosis

back 8

B. Visceral protrusion

front 9

Which entrapped structure is most commonly involved in a hernia causing bowel obstruction?

A. Appendix
B. Stomach
C. Small bowel loop
D. Pancreatic tail

back 9

C. Small bowel loop

front 10

A painful inguinal hernia becomes nonreducible and tender. Pressure at the neck first impairs venous drainage, causing edema and stasis, followed by permanent trapping and then vascular compromise. Which sequence is most accurate?

A. Infarction → strangulation → incarceration
B. Strangulation → edema → reduction
C. Incarceration → strangulation → infarction
D. Edema → infarction → reduction

back 10

C. Incarceration → strangulation → infarction

front 11

A 46-year-old woman with prior pelvic surgery presents with crampy abdominal pain and vomiting. Fibrous bands are suspected to be tethering bowel loops to the abdominal wall. Which process most likely led to this obstruction?

A. Adhesion formation
B. Volvulus development
C. Mucosal intussusception
D. Arterial thrombosis

back 11

A. Adhesion formation

front 12

Which clinical history most strongly predisposes to intra-abdominal adhesions?

A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Surgical procedure
C. Lactose intolerance
D. Hemorrhoids

back 12

B. Surgical procedure

front 13

Fibrous bridges formed by adhesions may create closed loops through which bowel can slide and become trapped. This complication is best termed:

A. Strangulation
B. External prolapse
C. Internal herniation
D. Transmural infarction

back 13

C. Internal herniation

front 14

A 70-year-old patient presents with acute abdominal distention, obstipation, severe pain, and signs of bowel ischemia. Imaging suggests twisting of bowel around its mesenteric attachment. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Intussusception
B. Volvulus
C. Adhesion
D. Hernia

back 14

B. Volvulus

front 15

The pathophysiology of volvulus most directly causes:

A. Secretory and osmotic loss
B. Mucosal and lymphatic failure
C. Luminal and vascular compromise
D. Serosal and neural inflammation

back 15

C. Luminal and vascular compromise

front 16

Volvulus most commonly occurs in which location?

A. Sigmoid colon
B. Jejunum
C. Stomach
D. Transverse colon

back 16

A. Sigmoid colon

front 17

A 2-year-old child develops episodic abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging suggests that one bowel segment has invaginated into the immediately distal segment after a wave of peristalsis. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Volvulus
B. Intussusception
C. Adhesion
D. Incarcerated hernia

back 17

B. Intussusception

front 18

Intussusception is best defined as:

A. Twisting around mesentery
B. Fibrous loop entrapment
C. Telescoping into distal bowel
D. Protrusion through abdominal wall

back 18

C. Telescoping into distal bowel

front 19

Once the bowel segment becomes trapped in intussusception, ongoing peristalsis typically causes it to:

A. Retract spontaneously
B. Pull mesentery along
C. Perforate immediately
D. Untwist at the base

back 19

B. Pull mesentery along

front 20

If untreated, intussusception may progress to:

A. Fistula and pseudomembranes
B. Dysentery, malabsorption, infarction
C. Obstruction, vessel compression, infarction
D. Ascites, jaundice, varices

back 20

C. Obstruction, vessel compression, infarction

front 21

In idiopathic intussusception in infants and young children, which intervention can be both diagnostic and therapeutic?

A. Colonoscopy
B. Contrast enema
C. Exploratory laparotomy
D. Nasogastric decompression

back 21

B. Contrast enema

front 22

The majority of the gastrointestinal tract is primarily supplied by which set of arteries?

A. Celiac, SMA, IMA
B. Renal, iliac, lumbar
C. Gastric, splenic, hepatic
D. Portal, caval, azygos

back 22

A. Celiac, SMA, IMA

front 23

A pathology specimen shows necrosis limited to the mucosa and not extending beyond the muscularis mucosae. This is best classified as:

A. Mural infarction
B. Transmural infarction
C. Mucosal infarction
D. Serosal infarction

back 23

C. Mucosal infarction

front 24

Infarction involving the mucosa and submucosa is best termed:

A. Mural infarction
B. Mucosal infarction
C. Transmural infarction
D. Mesenteric strangulation

back 24

A. Mural infarction

front 25

Necrosis involving all layers of the intestinal wall, from the mucosa to the serosa.

A. Mucosal infarction
B. Mural infarction
C. Transmural infarction
D. Focal serosal necrosis

back 25

C. Transmural infarction

front 26

The most important risk factor for mesenteric arterial thrombosis is:

A. Chronic pancreatitis
B. Severe atherosclerosis
C. Portal hypertension
D. Diverticulosis

back 26

B. Severe atherosclerosis

front 27

Obstructive emboli causing acute intestinal ischemia most commonly arise from:

A. Hepatic veins and splenic cysts
B. Iliac plaques and varices
C. Aortic atheromas or mural thrombi
D. Mesenteric nodes and lymphatics

back 27

C. Aortic atheromas or mural thrombi

front 28

A 76-year-old woman develops abrupt cramping left lower abdominal pain, urgency to defecate, and bloody diarrhea. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Acute colonic ischemia
B. Secretory diarrhea
C. Small bowel volvulus
D. Malabsorptive enteropathy

back 28

A. Acute colonic ischemia

front 29

Which portion of the GI tract is the most common site of ischemia?

A. Stomach
B. Colon
C. Esophagus
D. Jejunum

back 29

B. Colon

front 30

Which pair of sites are classic GI watershed zones?

A. Cecum and ascending colon
B. Duodenum and jejunum
C. Splenic flexure and rectosigmoid
D. Ileum and transverse colon

back 30

C. Splenic flexure and rectosigmoid

front 31

A bowel specimen shows a sharply demarcated segment of intensely congested, dusky purple-red intestine involving all wall layers. Which mechanism is most likely?

A. Chronic venous congestion
B. Acute arterial obstruction
C. Lymphatic occlusion
D. Osmotic fluid loss

back 31

B. Acute arterial obstruction

front 32

In acute colonic ischemia, which finding most strongly suggests need for surgery?

A. Guarding on examination
B. Steatorrhea after meals
C. Intermittent bloating only
D. Fasting improves symptoms

back 32

A. Guarding on examination

front 33

Right-sided ischemic colitis is more severe primarily because it involves bowel supplied by the:

A. Inferior mesenteric artery
B. Celiac trunk
C. Superior mesenteric artery
D. Internal iliac artery

back 33

C. Superior mesenteric artery

front 34

Which statement about colonic ischemia is most accurate?

A. Usually diffuse and continuous
B. Most common in young men
C. Lesions are patchy, segmental
D. Right-sided disease is milder

back 34

C. Lesions are patchy, segmental

front 35

A premature neonate develops abdominal distention and feeding intolerance, and imaging plus surgery reveal full-thickness bowel wall necrosis involving both small and large intestine. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Angiodysplasia
B. Necrotizing enterocolitis
C. Exudative colitis
D. Dysentery

back 35

B. Necrotizing enterocolitis

front 36

The most severe bowel injury in necrotizing enterocolitis is:

A. Mucosal edema
B. Villous blunting
C. Transmural necrosis
D. Serosal fibrosis

back 36

C. Transmural necrosis

front 37

An older adult presents with intermittent lower GI bleeding. Colonoscopy shows malformed mucosal and submucosal vessels in the cecum. Which diagnosis best fits?

A. Volvulus
B. Angiodysplasia
C. Dysentery
D. Intussusception

back 37

B. Angiodysplasia

front 38

A patient develops chronic bulky, frothy, greasy, yellow stool after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Which condition could directly explain the malabsorption?

A. Graft-versus-host disease
B. Right-sided ischemia
C. Necrotizing enterocolitis
D. Angiodysplasia

back 38

A. Graft-versus-host disease

front 39

A patient has painful, bloody, small-volume diarrhea with tenesmus. Which term best describes this syndrome?

A. Exudative diarrhea
B. Secretory diarrhea
C. Dysentery
D. Osmotic diarrhea

back 39

C. Dysentery

front 40

A hospitalized patient has watery diarrhea with isotonic stool losses that continue even when oral intake is stopped. Which diarrhea type is most likely?

A. Malabsorptive
B. Secretory
C. Exudative
D. Osmotic

back 40

B. Secretory

front 41

A young adult with lactase deficiency develops diarrhea after dairy intake, and symptoms improve completely during fasting. Which diarrhea mechanism is most likely?

A. Secretory
B. Exudative
C. Malabsorptive
D. Osmotic

back 41

D. Osmotic

front 42

_____ diarrhea follows generalized failure of nutrient absorption, is associated with steaorrhea and is relieved by fasting

A. Secretory
B. Exudative
C. Malabsorptive
D. Osmotic

back 42

C. Malabsorptive

front 43

_____ diarrhea is due to inflammatory disease characterized by purulent, bloody stools than continue during fasting

A. Secretory
B. Exudative
C. Malabsorptive
D. Osmotic

back 43

B. Exudative

front 44

A 24-year-old woman develops chronic diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss after eating wheat-containing foods. Small-bowel biopsy suggests immune-mediated enteropathy. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Environmental enteropathy
B. Celiac disease
C. Autoimmune enteropathy
D. Crohn disease

back 44

B. Celiac disease

front 45

In celiac disease, gliadin peptides presented by HLA-DQ2/DQ8 primarily activate which immune cell?

A. CD8+ T cells
B. Plasma cells
C. CD4+ T cells
D. Neutrophils

back 45

C. CD4+ T cells

front 46

Celiac disease most commonly involves which regions of the GI tract?

A. Duodenum and jejunum
B. Ileum and cecum
C. Stomach and duodenum
D. Colon and rectum

back 46

A. Duodenum and jejunum

front 47

The malabsorption in celiac disease is most directly caused by:

A. Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
B. Ileal bile salt loss
C. Lymphatic obstruction
D. Loss of brush border

back 47

D. Loss of brush border

front 48

The most sensitive serologic test for celiac disease is measurement of IgA antibodies against:

A. Endomysium
B. Tissue transglutaminase
C. Gliadin peptidase
D. Deamidated gluten

back 48

B. Tissue transglutaminase

front 49

The most common malignancy associated with celiac disease is:

A. Colonic adenocarcinoma
B. Gastric lymphoma
C. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma
D. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma

back 49

C. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma

front 50

Environmental enteropathy is most strongly associated with:

A. Gluten ingestion
B. Poor sanitation
C. Autoantibody formation
D. Mesenteric ischemia

back 50

B. Poor sanitation

front 51

A young boy has severe persistent diarrhea and multiple autoimmune disorders. Family history suggests an inherited syndrome. Which pattern best fits autoimmune enteropathy?

A. Autosomal dominant
B. Mitochondrial
C. Autosomal recessive
D. X-linked

back 51

D. X-linked

front 52

The severe familial form of autoimmune enteropathy caused by FOXP3 mutation is called:

A. IPEX
B. MEN1
C. Lynch syndrome
D. Wiskott-Aldrich

back 52

A. IPEX

front 53

FOXP3 mutations in IPEX most directly impair the function of:

A. B lymphocytes
B. Macrophages
C. Regulatory T cells
D. NK cells

back 53

C. Regulatory T cells

front 54

Abetalipoproteinemia is best described as an inherited inability to:

A. Absorb gluten peptides
B. Hydrolyze brush-border sugars
C. Produce pancreatic lipase
D. Secrete triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

back 54

D. Secrete triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

front 55

A peripheral smear in a patient with abetalipoproteinemia would most likely show:

A. Schistocytes
B. Acanthocytes
C. Spherocytes
D. Target cells

back 55

B. Acanthocytes

front 56

A 29-year-old patient has chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea. Endoscopy shows inflamed bowel separated by normal intervening mucosa. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Ulcerative colitis
B. Ischemic colitis
C. Crohn disease
D. Microscopic colitis

back 56

C. Crohn disease

front 57

Which feature best distinguishes Crohn disease from ulcerative colitis?

A. Transmural inflammation
B. Rectal involvement
C. Toxic megacolon risk
D. Mucosal ulceration only

back 57

A. Transmural inflammation

front 58

A patient with inflammatory bowel disease develops enteroenteric fistulas and bowel wall fibrosis. Which diagnosis best fits?

A. Ulcerative colitis
B. Infectious colitis
C. Pseudomembranous colitis
D. Crohn disease

back 58

D. Crohn disease

front 59

Which distribution is most typical of ulcerative colitis?

A. Any GI segment
B. Colon and rectum
C. Small bowel only
D. Stomach and duodenum

back 59

B. Colon and rectum

front 60

Histology from an inflamed bowel segment shows noncaseating granulomas and transmural inflammation. Which disorder is most likely?

A. Crohn disease
B. Ulcerative colitis
C. Ischemic colitis
D. Diverticulitis

back 60

A. Crohn disease

front 61

A patient with longstanding inflammatory bowel disease develops severe colonic dilation and systemic toxicity. Which disease is classically associated with this complication?

A. Crohn disease
B. Celiac disease
C. Angiodysplasia
D. Ulcerative colitis

back 61

D. Ulcerative colitis

front 62

Which gross feature is classically associated with Crohn disease?

A. Continuous rectosigmoid disease
B. Diffuse pseudopolyposis
C. Creeping fat
D. Superficial mucosal erosion

back 62

C. Creeping fat

front 63

Ulcerative colitis is typically confined to which bowel layers?

A. Muscularis and serosa
B. Mucosa and superficial submucosa
C. Full bowel wall thickness
D. Subserosa and mesentery

back 63

B. Mucosa and superficial submucosa

front 64

A patient with Crohn disease develops recurrent obstructive symptoms from fibrosing bowel narrowing. Which treatment is often required?

A. Surgical resection
B. Total colectomy
C. Air enema reduction
D. Anticoagulation

back 64

A. Surgical resection

front 65

A patient with severe ulcerative colitis undergoes total colectomy. What is the expected effect on the intestinal disease?

A. Disease shifts to ileum
B. Fistulas continue
C. Skip lesions persist
D. Intestinal disease is cured

back 65

D. Intestinal disease is cured

front 66

A 61-year-old woman has months of chronic nonbloody watery diarrhea. Colon imaging is normal, but biopsy shows inflammatory colitis. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Ulcerative colitis
B. Microscopic colitis
C. Crohn disease
D. Ischemic colitis

back 66

B. Microscopic colitis

front 67

Which feature best characterizes microscopic colitis?

A. Bloody diarrhea with masses
B. Transmural granulomatous inflammation
C. Continuous rectal ulceration
D. Normal radiology despite diarrhea

back 67

D. Normal radiology despite diarrhea

front 68

A colon biopsy shows a dense subepithelial collagen band, increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, and mixed lamina propria inflammation. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Lymphocytic colitis
B. GVHD colitis
C. Collagenous colitis
D. Ulcerative colitis

back 68

C. Collagenous colitis

front 69

Which histologic feature helps distinguish lymphocytic colitis from collagenous colitis?

A. Transmural fissures
B. Normal collagen thickness
C. Granuloma formation
D. Pseudomembrane formation

back 69

B. Normal collagen thickness

front 70

Lymphocytic colitis has a strong association with:

A. Celiac and autoimmune disease
B. Diverticulosis and hemorrhoids
C. Angiodysplasia and volvulus
D. NEC and intussusception

back 70

A. Celiac and autoimmune disease

front 71

A patient develops diarrhea after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The stool is initially watery and later becomes bloody. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Microscopic colitis
B. Collagenous colitis
C. Lymphocytic colitis
D. Intestinal graft-versus-host disease

back 71

D. Intestinal graft-versus-host disease

front 72

The most common histologic finding in intestinal graft-versus-host disease is:

A. Dense subepithelial fibrosis
B. Transmural necrosis
C. Crypt epithelial apoptosis
D. Noncaseating granulomas

back 72

C. Crypt epithelial apoptosis

front 73

A 68-year-old patient undergoing screening colonoscopy is found to have multiple saclike mucosal outpouchings in the colon that are acquired rather than congenital. These lesions are best classified as:

A. True diverticula
B. Adenomatous polyps
C. Pseudodiverticula
D. Vascular ectasias

back 73

C. Pseudodiverticula

front 74

The pathogenesis of diverticular disease is most closely related to:

A. Elevated intraluminal pressure
B. Transmural granulomatous inflammation
C. Mucosal ischemic necrosis
D. Defective enteric innervation

back 74

A. Elevated intraluminal pressure

front 75

Which dietary pattern most promotes progression of diverticular disease?

A. High-protein diet
B. High-fat diet
C. Lactose-free diet
D. Low-fiber diet

back 75

D. Low-fiber diet

front 76

Which statement about diverticular disease is most accurate?

A. Usually presents with obstruction
B. Most patients are asymptomatic
C. Has high malignant potential
D. Usually involves true diverticula

back 76

B. Most patients are asymptomatic

front 77

A small left-sided colonic polyp is found on routine colonoscopy. Histology shows a benign epithelial proliferation without dysplasia. Which lesion is most likely?

A. Hyperplastic polyp
B. Inflammatory fibroid polyp
C. Tubular adenoma
D. Hamartomatous polyp

back 77

A. Hyperplastic polyp

front 78

Which feature best distinguishes a hyperplastic polyp from an adenomatous lesion?

A. More common in rectum
B. Causes mucus discharge
C. No malignant potential
D. Associated with fistulas

back 78

C. No malignant potential

front 79

Hyperplastic polyps are most commonly found in the:

A. Cecum
B. Jejunum
C. Transverse colon
D. Left colon

back 79

D. Left colon

front 80

A patient presents with rectal bleeding and mucus discharge. Endoscopy shows an inflammatory lesion on the anterior rectal wall. Which diagnosis best fits?

A. Hyperplastic polyp
B. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome pattern
C. Diverticular disease
D. Villous adenoma

back 80

B. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome pattern

front 81

Which symptom pair is most characteristic of the inflammatory polyp/solitary rectal ulcer syndrome pattern?

A. Hematemesis and melena
B. Rectal bleeding and mucus
C. Steatorrhea and bloating
D. Obstipation and vomiting

back 81

B. Rectal bleeding and mucus

front 82

A 4-year-old child presents with intermittent painless rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy reveals a solitary rectal polyp composed of disorganized but mature tissue elements. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Hyperplastic polyp
B. Tubular adenoma
C. Juvenile polyp
D. Inflammatory pseudopolyp

back 82

C. Juvenile polyp

front 83

Juvenile polyps are best classified as:

A. Hamartomatous polyps
B. Neoplastic adenomas
C. Inflammatory lesions
D. Vascular malformations

back 83

A. Hamartomatous polyps

front 84

Which presentation is most typical of a juvenile polyp?

A. Watery secretory diarrhea
B. Small bowel obstruction
C. Mucocutaneous pigmentation
D. Rectal bleeding

back 84

D. Rectal bleeding

front 85

Juvenile polyps most often arise in the:

A. Jejunum
B. Rectum
C. Cecum
D. Duodenum

back 85

B. Rectum

front 86

A child has multiple hamartomatous colorectal polyps and a family history of similar lesions. Which syndrome should raise concern for future colonic adenocarcinoma?

A. Lynch syndrome
B. FAP
C. Juvenile polyposis syndrome
D. Cowden syndrome

back 86

C. Juvenile polyposis syndrome

front 87

Juvenile polyposis syndrome is often associated with mutation in:

A. SMAD4
B. APC
C. KRAS
D. MLH1

back 87

A. SMAD4

front 88

The major long-term malignancy risk in juvenile polyposis syndrome is:

A. Gastric lymphoma
B. Pancreatic carcinoma
C. Small bowel carcinoid
D. Colonic adenocarcinoma

back 88

D. Colonic adenocarcinoma

front 89

A teenager with dark pigmented macules on the lips is found to have multiple hamartomatous polyps throughout the GI tract. Which syndrome is most likely?

A. Juvenile polyposis syndrome
B. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
C. Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
D. Serrated polyposis syndrome

back 89

B. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

front 90

In Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, hamartomatous polyps most often involve the:

A. Small intestine
B. Rectum
C. Esophagus
D. Appendix

back 90

A. Small intestine

front 91

Which gene is characteristically mutated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome?

A. SMAD4
B. TP53
C. STK11
D. BRAF

back 91

C. STK11

front 92

A screening colonoscopy identifies a neoplastic colonic polyp with epithelial atypia. Which histologic feature is the defining hallmark of an adenoma?

A. Mucin depletion
B. Dysplasia
C. Granulomas
D. Fibrosis

back 92

B. Dysplasia

front 93

Which statement about colonic adenomas is most accurate?

A. They are usually inflammatory
B. They lack malignant significance
C. They are mainly hamartomatous
D. They are most common neoplastic polyps

back 93

D. They are most common neoplastic polyps

front 94

Most colorectal adenocarcinomas arise from which precursor lesion?

A. Adenoma
B. Hyperplastic polyp
C. Juvenile polyp
D. Inflammatory polyp

back 94

A. Adenoma

front 95

A 1-cm pedunculated polyp is removed from the sigmoid colon. Histology shows crowded tubular glands without villous architecture. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Villous adenoma
B. Sessile serrated adenoma
C. Tubular adenoma
D. Tubulovillous adenoma

back 95

C. Tubular adenoma

front 96

Which gross pattern is most typical of a villous adenoma?

A. Small and pedunculated
B. Flat with granulomas
C. Tiny and left-sided
D. Large and sessile

back 96

D. Large and sessile

front 97

A broad-based colonic adenoma causes chronic mucous stool losses with hypokalemia. Which lesion best fits?

A. Tubular adenoma
B. Villous adenoma
C. Juvenile polyp
D. Hyperplastic polyp

back 97

B. Villous adenoma

front 98

Which microscopic feature best characterizes a villous adenoma?

A. Covered by villi
B. Serrated crypt bases
C. Dense collagen band
D. Cystic dilated glands

back 98

A. Covered by villi

front 99

A polyp demonstrates both tubular glands and villous projections on histology. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?

A. Tubular adenoma
B. Villous adenoma
C. Tubulovillous adenoma
D. Serrated hyperplastic polyp

back 99

C. Tubulovillous adenoma

front 100

A right-sided colonic polyp is found to have premalignant potential despite lacking classic cytologic dysplasia. Which lesion is most likely?

A. Juvenile polyp
B. Sessile serrated adenoma
C. Inflammatory polyp
D. Solitary rectal ulcer

back 100

B. Sessile serrated adenoma

front 101

Which feature most strongly supports sessile serrated adenoma rather than tubular adenoma?

A. Pedunculated architecture
B. Protein secretion
C. Right-sided location
D. Pure villous surface

back 101

C. Right-sided location

front 102

A colonic polyp shows dysplastic glands that have penetrated through the basement membrane but remain confined to the lamina propria. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?

A. Invasive adenocarcinoma
B. High-grade dysplasia
C. Intramucosal carcinoma
D. Sessile serrated adenoma

back 102

C. Intramucosal carcinoma

front 103

Intramucosal carcinoma is defined by extension of dysplastic epithelium into the:

A. Lamina propria or muscularis mucosae
B. Muscularis propria and serosa
C. Submucosa and mesentery
D. Pericolic fat and nodes

back 103

A. Lamina propria or muscularis mucosae

front 104

Why does intramucosal carcinoma have little to no metastatic potential?

A. It remains cytologically bland
B. It lacks gland formation
C. It cannot breach basement membrane
D. It is confined to mucosa

back 104

D. It is confined to mucosa

front 105

What is the usual treatment for intramucosal carcinoma arising in a polyp?

A. Chemoradiation
B. Polypectomy alone
C. Segmental colectomy
D. Immunotherapy

back 105

B. Polypectomy alone

front 106

Familial adenomatous polyposis is best described as which syndrome?

A. APC-associated adenomatous polyposis
B. Mismatch repair deficiency syndrome
C. Hamartomatous polyposis syndrome
D. Biallelic MYH serrated syndrome

back 106

A. APC-associated adenomatous polyposis

front 107

Which finding is required for diagnosis of classic familial adenomatous polyposis?

A. At least 10 polyps
B. Rectal cancer before age 30
C. Biallelic APC mutation only
D. At least 100 polyps

back 107

D. At least 100 polyps

front 108

Colorectal adenocarcinoma develops in ____% of untreated FAP patients

back 108

100

front 109

The standard preventive treatment for classic familial adenomatous polyposis is:

A. Annual polypectomy
B. Endoscopic ablation
C. Prophylactic colectomy
D. Small-bowel resection

back 109

C. Prophylactic colectomy

front 110

After colectomy for FAP, which medication class can reduce polyps in the residual rectum?

A. NSAIDs
B. Antimetabolites
C. Corticosteroids
D. Bile acid binders

back 110

A. NSAIDs

front 111

MYH-associated polyposis is caused by:

A. Monoallelic APC deletion
B. Somatic KRAS mutation
C. Germline STK11 mutation
D. Biallelic MYH mutation

back 111

D. Biallelic MYH mutation

front 112

Compared with classic FAP, MYH-associated polyposis typically shows:

A. Greater rectal involvement
B. Fewer polyps
C. Earlier colectomy need
D. Obligatory APC loss

back 112

B. Fewer polyps

front 113

Lynch syndrome is most strongly associated with which underlying defect?

A. APC inactivation
B. STK11 mutation
C. FOXP3 mutation
D. Mismatch repair defect

back 113

D. Mismatch repair defect

front 114

Which statement about Lynch syndrome-associated colon cancer is most accurate?

A. Usually arises in rectum
B. Typically left-sided
C. Often cecal only
D. Tends to be right-sided

back 114

D. Tends to be right-sided

front 115

Lynch syndrome is associated with colorectal cancer and:

A. No extracolonic cancers
B. Only gastric lymphoma
C. Several extracolonic cancers
D. Only endometrial cancer

back 115

C. Several extracolonic cancers

front 116

Which statement about colorectal adenocarcinoma is correct?

A. Rare GI malignancy
B. Usually metastatic at diagnosis
C. Arises only from adenomas
D. Most common GI malignancy

back 116

D. Most common GI malignancy

front 117

Colorectal adenocarcinoma develops through which two major molecular pathways?

A. STK11 and FOXP3
B. APC and microsatellite instability
C. KRAS and TGF-β only
D. SMAD4 and MYH

back 117

B. APC and microsatellite instability

front 118

A right-sided colon cancer is most likely to present with:

A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Early obstruction
C. Severe tenesmus
D. Mucus discharge

back 118

A. Iron deficiency anemia

front 119

A patient with colon cancer has occult blood loss, crampy abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits. Which tumor location is most likely?

A. Transverse colon
B. Right colon
C. Left colon
D. Cecum

back 119

C. Left colon

front 120

Which factors are most important in determining prognosis in colorectal adenocarcinoma?

A. Tumor size and grade
B. KRAS and BRAF status
C. Site and gross pattern
D. Invasion depth and nodal spread

back 120

D. Invasion depth and nodal spread

front 121

The most common site of metastasis from colorectal adenocarcinoma is the:

A. Liver
B. Lung
C. Brain
D. Bone

back 121

A. Liver

front 122

A 48-year-old patient presents with painful rectal bleeding that worsens with defecation. Which underlying mechanism most directly explains hemorrhoid formation?

A. Mucosal autoimmune injury
B. Elevated venous pressure
C. Arterial embolic occlusion
D. Crypt epithelial apoptosis

back 122

B. Elevated venous pressure

front 123

Which presentation is most characteristic of hemorrhoids?

A. Pain and rectal bleeding
B. Steatorrhea and bloating
C. Dysphagia and odynophagia
D. Hematemesis and melena

back 123

A. Pain and rectal bleeding

front 124

Hemorrhoids are classified anatomically as:

A. Mucosal or transmural
B. Pedunculated or sessile
C. Acute or chronic
D. Internal or external

back 124

D. Internal or external

front 125

Acute appendicitis is most often initiated by:

A. Villous mucin secretion
B. Autoimmune epithelial injury
C. Luminal obstruction
D. Mesenteric arterial embolus

back 125

C. Luminal obstruction

front 126

The key early pathogenic event in acute appendicitis is:

A. Reduced lymphatic drainage only
B. Increased intraluminal pressure
C. Transmural granuloma formation
D. Mucosal collagen deposition

back 126

B. Increased intraluminal pressure

front 127

In acute appendicitis, rising intraluminal pressure most directly compromises:

A. Venous outflow
B. Bile secretion
C. Arterial inflow only
D. Lymphocyte trafficking

back 127

A. Venous outflow

front 128

Which histologic finding establishes the diagnosis of acute appendicitis?

A. Submucosal fibrosis
B. Serosal hemorrhage
C. Muscularis propria neutrophils
D. Crypt abscesses only

back 128

C. Muscularis propria neutrophils

front 129

Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumor. Which statement is most accurate?

A. Usually highly aggressive
B. Most often poorly differentiated
C. Rare among appendiceal tumors
D. Usually benign

back 129

D. Usually benign

front 130

The most common tumor of the appendix is:

A. Mucinous cystadenoma
B. Adenocarcinoma
C. Neuroendocrine tumor
D. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

back 130

C. Neuroendocrine tumor

front 131

Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors are usually:

A. Infiltrative and high grade
B. Well differentiated
C. Associated with dysentery
D. Derived from mucinous epithelium

back 131

B. Well differentiated

front 132

A surgeon removes a dilated appendix distended by accumulated mucin. Which diagnosis best fits this gross description?

A. Appendiceal mucocele
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Juvenile polyp
D. Villous adenoma

back 132

A. Appendiceal mucocele

front 133

An appendiceal mucocele may reflect either simple obstruction or:

A. Ischemic infarction
B. Neuroendocrine hyperplasia
C. Mucinous neoplasm
D. Crohn disease

back 133

C. Mucinous neoplasm

front 134

A patient with progressive abdominal distention undergoes surgery, and the peritoneal cavity is found to be filled with tenacious, semisolid mucin. Which diagnosis is most likely?

A. Sterile peritonitis
B. Sclerosing retroperitonitis
C. Pseudomyxoma peritonei
D. Peritoneal mesothelioma

back 134

C. Pseudomyxoma peritonei

front 135

A patient develops chemical inflammation of the peritoneum after leakage of bile during abdominal injury. Which diagnosis best fits?

A. Pseudomyxoma peritonei
B. Sterile peritonitis
C. Sclerosing retroperitonitis
D. Peritoneal mesothelioma

back 135

B. Sterile peritonitis

front 136

Also known as idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis or Ormond disease, is characterized by dense fibrosis that may extend to involve the mesentery:

A. Peritoneal mesothelioma
B. Sterile peritonitis
C. Pseudomyxoma peritonei
D. Sclerosing retroperitonitis

back 136

D. Sclerosing retroperitonitis

front 137

A patient has fibroinflammatory retroperitoneal disease suspected to be part of a systemic immune-mediated process. Which association is most likely?

A. STK11-related syndrome
B. APC-associated polyposis
C. IgG4-related disease
D. HLA-B27 arthritis

back 137

C. IgG4-related disease

front 138

Which lesion is a primary malignant tumor of the peritoneal lining?

A. Peritoneal mesothelioma
B. Pseudomyxoma peritonei
C. Sclerosing retroperitonitis
D. Sterile peritonitis

back 138

A. Peritoneal mesothelioma

front 139

A patient develops profuse watery diarrhea after exposure to contaminated water. The responsible organism produces diarrhea primarily by which mechanism?

A. Mucosal invasion with ulceration
B. Enterocyte apoptosis and sloughing
C. cAMP-mediated chloride secretion
D. Villous destruction with malabsorption

back 139

C. cAMP-mediated chloride secretion

front 140

Cholera toxin most directly causes intestinal fluid loss by activating:

A. CFTR-dependent chloride secretion
B. Sodium-glucose cotransport inhibition
C. Crypt macrophage apoptosis
D. Mesenteric vascular thrombosis

back 140

A. CFTR-dependent chloride secretion

front 141

A traveler presents with massive painless watery diarrhea and severe dehydration. The stool is described as gray-white flecks in liquid. Which description is classic?

A. Currant-jelly stool
B. Rice-water stool
C. Greasy bulky stool
D. Bloody mucoid stool

back 141

B. Rice-water stool

front 142

Which organism is a common bacterial enteric pathogen and is strongly associated with both reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome?

A. Vibrio cholerae
B. Shigella dysenteriae
C. Campylobacter jejuni
D. Clostridioides difficile

back 142

C. Campylobacter jejuni

front 143

Which postinfectious extraintestinal complication is classically associated with Campylobacter jejuni?

A. Toxic megacolon
B. Enteropathy-associated lymphoma
C. Reactive arthritis
D. Pseudomyxoma peritonei

back 143

C. Reactive arthritis

front 144

A febrile patient has painful bloody diarrhea after ingesting contaminated food. These are gram-negative unencapsulated, nonmotile, facultative anaerobes that belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family and are closely related to enteroinvasive E. coli:

A. Cholera
B. Campylobacter enteritis
C. Microscopic colitis
D. Shigellosis

back 144

D. Shigellosis

front 145

Shigellosis most characteristically involves which intestinal regions?

A. Duodenum and jejunum
B. Cecum and ascending colon
C. Ileum and left colon
D. Rectum

back 145

C. Ileum and left colon

front 146

Which management approach is most appropriate for shigellosis?

A. Antidiarrheals to limit fluid loss
B. Surgery for transmural necrosis
C. Steroids for immune suppression
D. Antibiotics; avoid antidiarrheals

back 146

D. Antibiotics; avoid antidiarrheals

front 147

A 23-year-old patient develops fever and abdominal symptoms after eating undercooked poultry and eggs. Which source most strongly supports salmonellosis?

A. Contaminated meat, poultry, eggs, milk
B. Unwashed shellfish from seawater
C. Unpasteurized fruit juice only
D. Contaminated canned vegetables only

back 147

A. Contaminated meat, poultry, eggs, milk

front 148

A patient with enteric fever has ileal lymphoid hyperplasia on pathology. Enlargement of which structure is classically associated with typhoid fever?

A. Crypt abscesses
B. Peyer patches
C. Brunner glands
D. Paneth cell nests

back 148

B. Peyer patches

front 149

A febrile traveler is suspected of having typhoid fever. Which skin finding, if present, would support the diagnosis?

A. Erythema nodosum
B. Target lesions
C. Rose spots
D. Spider angiomas

back 149

C. Rose spots

front 150

During the febrile phase of typhoid fever, which diagnostic study is most likely to be positive?

A. Blood cultures
B. Stool ova exam
C. Sweat chloride test
D. Fecal elastase assay

back 150

A. Blood cultures

front 151

A patient develops enterocolitis after consuming pork and raw milk during the winter. Which organism is most strongly suggested by this epidemiologic pattern?

A. Shigella sonnei
B. Yersinia enterocolitica
C. Vibrio cholerae
D. Campylobacter jejuni

back 151

B. Yersinia enterocolitica

front 152

Which exposure pattern is most classically associated with Yersinia infection?

A. Shellfish and seawater
B. Daycare fecal spread
C. Poultry and eggs
D. Pork, raw milk, water

back 152

D. Pork, raw milk, water

front 153

Yersinia most directly initiates intestinal invasion by targeting which specialized epithelial cell?

A. M cell
B. Goblet cell
C. Paneth cell
D. Enterocyte

back 153

A. M cell

front 154

Yersinia adhesins promote host cell attachment by binding to:

A. E-cadherin
B. ICAM-1
C. β1-integrins
D. Selectins

back 154

C. β1-integrins

front 155

Which statement about E. coli is most accurate?

A. Gram-positive cocci
B. Acid-fast bacilli
C. Anaerobic spirochetes
D. Gram-negative bacilli

back 155

D. Gram-negative bacilli

front 156

The heat-labile toxin of ETEC causes diarrhea by increasing intracellular:

A. cAMP
B. cGMP
C. IP3
D. DAG

back 156

A. cAMP

front 157

ETEC heat-stable toxins resemble guanylin and stimulate which pathway?

A. Adenylate cyclase, increased cAMP
B. Phospholipase C, increased IP3
C. Guanylate cyclase, increased cGMP
D. Tyrosine kinase, increased MAPK

back 157

C. Guanylate cyclase, increased cGMP

front 158

The pathogenesis of Clostridioides difficile colitis most often begins with:

A. Viral invasion of enterocytes
B. Antibiotic disruption of microbiota
C. Mesenteric arterial thrombosis
D. Autoimmune crypt destruction

back 158

B. Antibiotic disruption of microbiota

front 159

Which gross or endoscopic finding is classically associated with Clostridioides difficile colitis?

A. Creeping fat
B. Pseudomembranes
C. Villous atrophy
D. Cobblestoning

back 159

B. Pseudomembranes

front 160

Which combination is a classic risk profile for Clostridioides difficile colitis?

A. Antibiotics, hospitalization, advanced age
B. Pork intake, winter season, infancy
C. Raw milk, travel, dehydration
D. Gluten exposure, HLA typing, anemia

back 160

A. Antibiotics, hospitalization, advanced age

front 161

Which diagnostic approach is preferred for suspected Clostridioides difficile colitis?

A. Routine stool culture
B. Blood culture
C. Toxin detection
D. Colon biopsy first

back 161

C. Toxin detection

front 162

A patient with confirmed Clostridioides difficile colitis requires treatment. Which regimen is appropriate based on the material provided?

A. IV ceftriaxone
B. Oral metronidazole or vancomycin
C. Oral NSAIDs
D. Air contrast enema

back 162

B. Oral metronidazole or vancomycin

front 163

Has become the most common cause of diarrhea worldwide

A. Rotavirus
B. Adenovirus
C. Norovirus
D. Campylobacter jejuni

back 163

C. Norovirus

front 164

Norovirus most commonly spreads through:

A. Tick bites only
B. Food, water, person-to-person
C. Airborne spores only
D. Sexual transmission only

back 164

B. Food, water, person-to-person

front 165

This encapsulated virus with a segmented, double-stranded RNA genome is highly prevalent and a significant cause of diarrheal deaths worldwide.

A. Rotavirus
B. Norovirus
C. CMV
D. EBV

back 165

A. Rotavirus

front 166

Pediatric diarrhea, can affect immunocompromised patients:

A. Astrovirus
B. Rotavirus
C. Cholera toxin
D. Adenovirus

back 166

D. Adenovirus

front 167

A 6-year-old child develops bloating, foul-smelling stools, and lactose intolerance after a camping trip. Which organism most likely caused decreased brush-border enzymes, including lactase?

A. Giardia lamblia
B. Cryptosporidium parvum
C. Enterobius vermicularis
D. Ascaris lumbricoides

back 167

A. Giardia lamblia

front 168

The diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia is best classified as:

A. Exudative diarrhea
B. Dysenteric diarrhea
C. Malabsorptive diarrhea
D. Secretory diarrhea

back 168

C. Malabsorptive diarrhea

front 169

Which diagnostic test is most appropriate for suspected giardiasis based on the material provided?

A. Blood culture
B. Stool cyst immunofluorescence
C. Stool toxin assay
D. Duodenal manometry

back 169

B. Stool cyst immunofluorescence

front 170

A patient with AIDS develops profuse nonbloody watery diarrhea. The organism causes sodium malabsorption, chloride secretion, and increased intestinal permeability. Which pathogen is most likely?

A. Giardia lamblia
B. Strongyloides stercoralis
C. Cryptosporidium
D. Hookworm

back 170

C. Cryptosporidium

front 171

Which stool finding is most useful for diagnosing cryptosporidiosis?

A. Stool ova
B. Stool oocysts
C. Stool leukocytes
D. Stool ketones

back 171

B. Stool oocysts

front 172

A patient has watery diarrhea from a parasite that causes both sodium malabsorption and chloride secretion. Which infection is most likely?

A. Pinworm infection
B. Cryptosporidiosis
C. Giardiasis
D. Ascariasis

back 172

B. Cryptosporidiosis

front 173

A child develops cough, transient pulmonary symptoms, and later intestinal parasitic infection. Which helminth classically migrates through the lungs before maturing in the intestine?

A. Enterobius vermicularis
B. Hookworm
C. Ascaris lumbricoides
D. Giardia lamblia

back 173

C. Ascaris lumbricoides

front 174

Which parasite is most associated with an eosinophil-rich inflammatory reaction during tissue migration?

A. Ascaris lumbricoides
B. Cryptosporidium
C. Giardia lamblia
D. Norovirus

back 174

A. Ascaris lumbricoides

front 175

A patient remains chronically infected because larvae hatch within the intestine and repeatedly reinvade the host. Which organism has this autoinfective cycle?

A. Ascaris lumbricoides
B. Hookworm
C. Pinworm
D. Strongyloides

back 175

D. Strongyloides

front 176

Which pair of parasites both include a lung migration phase in their life cycle?

A. Giardia and pinworm
B. Ascaris and Strongyloides
C. Hookworm and pinworm
D. Giardia and Cryptosporidium

back 176

B. Ascaris and Strongyloides

front 177

A patient from a resource-limited setting has fatigue and chronic microcytic anemia. Endoscopy shows worms attached in the duodenum causing superficial erosions. Which infection is most likely?

A. Strongyloidiasis
B. Ascariasis
C. Hookworm infection
D. Pinworm infection

back 177

C. Hookworm infection

front 178

Hookworm causes chronic iron deficiency anemia primarily because the worms:

A. Induce hemolysis directly
B. Suck blood in duodenum
C. Block folate absorption
D. Destroy Peyer patches

back 178

B. Suck blood in duodenum

front 179

A child has intense nighttime perianal itching. Which parasite most likely causes this by depositing eggs on the perirectal mucosa?

A. Giardia lamblia
B. Hookworm
C. Enterobius vermicularis
D. Strongyloides

back 179

C. Enterobius vermicularis

front 180

Which transmission route is most characteristic of pinworm infection?

A. Hand-to-mouth spread
B. Tick-borne spread
C. Aerosol inhalation
D. Raw pork ingestion

back 180

A. Hand-to-mouth spread