Pancreatic Function and Gastrointestinal Function

Question 1

Laboratory findings in pancreatitis include all of the following EXCEPT
a. Increased cortisol
b. Increased amylase
c. Increased lipase
d. Increased triglycerides

Answer 1

a. Increased cortisol

Question 2

Which of the following tests is a direct determination of the exocrine secretory
capacity of the pancreas?
a. Secretin/CCK test
b. Amylase
c. Quantitative fecal fat analysis
d. D-Xylose test
e. Lactose tolerance test

Answer 2

a. Secretin/CCK test

Question 3

Which of the following statements concerning cystic fibrosis is NOT correct?
a. Affects males and females about equally
b. Occurs predominantly in populations of Northern European extraction
c. Frequently diagnosed by measurement of sweat chloride
d. Caused by a variety of mutations on chromosome 7
e. Genetic screening is usually unsuccessful

Answer 3

a. Affects males and females about equally

Question 4

The proper time period for the collection of a fecal fat specimen is
a. 72 hours
b. 24 hours
c. 36 hours
d. 48 hours
e. 96 hours

Answer 4

a. 72 hours

Question 5

Which of the following tests is only of the absorptive ability of the intestine?
a. D-Xylose test
b. Lactose tolerance test
c. Fecal fat (72-hour collection)
d. Serum carotenoids
e. Serum albumin

Answer 5

a. D-Xylose test

Question 6

A serum albumin of less than 2.5 g/dL would be most indicative of

a. Intestinal disease
b. Pancreatitis
c. Peptic ulcer
d. Pancreatic carcinoma

Answer 6

a. Intestinal disease

Question 7

Which of the following is accurate when describing or diagnosing ZollingerEllison syndrome?
a. Extreme hyposecretion of gastrin in the stomach
b. Extreme hypersecretion of gastrin in the duodenum
c. An increase in serum gastrin levels of 100 pg/mL following
intravenous exposure to secretin
d. A decrease in serum gastrin levels of 100 pg/mL following intravenous
exposure to secretin
e. Is confirmed when the hydrogen breath test is positive

Answer 7

d. A decrease in serum gastrin levels of 100 pg/mL following intravenous
exposure to secretin

Question 8

The D-xylose absorption test is particularly helpful in differentiating
malabsorption of intestinal etiology from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
because:
a. D-Xylose is mostly absorbed in the stomach and then secreted via the
kidney in its unaltered monosaccharide form.
b. D-Xylose is mostly altered in the small intestine to facilitate its
absorption across this membrane and metabolized by the liver so its
metabolites may be excreted via the kidney.
c. D-Xylose is mostly absorbed, not typically found in the blood,
unaltered in the small intestine, and excreted unaltered via the kidney.
d. None of the above describe why the D-xylose test is useful in
identifying malabsorption diseases.

Answer 8

c. D-Xylose is mostly absorbed, not typically found in the blood,
unaltered in the small intestine, and excreted unaltered via the kidney.