Question 1

Which are characteristics of Crohn's disease (CD)? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Fistulous tracts may occur as disease complications.&#10;B) Half of patients will not have significant remission of symptoms.&#10;C) Inflammation affects all layers of the intestinal tract wall.&#10;D) The disease may be limited to the small intestine.&#10;E) The inflammation is diffuse and continuous.

Accepted Answer

Fistulous tracts and inflammation affecting all layers of the intestinal wall are characteristic of Crohn's disease. Additionally, the disease may be limited to the small intestine. Half of patients not having significant remission of symptoms is not necessarily a characteristic of CD, as it can vary from person to person. The inflammation in CD is not necessarily diffuse and continuous, as it can occur in patches.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Which medication will be prescribed initially to establish remission?&#10;A) Azathioprine&#10;B) Budesonide&#10;C) Infliximab&#10;D) Sulfasalazine

Accepted Answer

Sulfasalazine is the first-line medication for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis as it has a proven effectiveness in inducing remission. Azathioprine and Infliximab are reserved as second-line options for patients who do not respond to first-line treatment or have severe disease. Budesonide may be used for mild to moderate disease, but is typically reserved for localized disease in the distal colon or rectum.

Question 3

A patient reports lower abdominal cramping and occasional blood in stools. The provider suspects inflammatory bowel disease. Which test will the provider order to determine whether the patient has ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD)?

A) Barium enema
B) Colonoscopy
C) Genetic testing
D) Small bowel series

B

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy is the best test to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease and differentiate between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Beyond visual examination, biopsies can be taken during a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Barium enema and small bowel series may also be used, but they are less effective than colonoscopy. Genetic testing can provide useful information about inherited risk factors for IBD, but it is not necessary for diagnosis.

Deck 120: Inflammatory Bowel Disease