Free Digestive System MCQs with Answers
40 Digestive System MCQs from Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
The digestive system covers the structure and functions of the alimentary canal from mouth to anus, along with the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. It explains mechanical and chemical digestion, the action of major enzymes, absorption through intestinal villi, and how digestion differs from absorption and assimilation.
Last updated
40 questions · page 1 of 2
- A. Trachea
- B. Oesophagus
- C. Duodenum
- D. Pancreatic duct
Explanation: The oesophagus is a muscular tube that moves the swallowed bolus to the stomach through peristaltic contractions.
Correct answer: Oesophagus- A. Pepsin
- B. Pancreatic lipase
- C. Salivary amylase
- D. Trypsin
Explanation: Salivary amylase begins breaking starch into smaller carbohydrates in the mouth.
Correct answer: Salivary amylase- A. Digest proteins into amino acids
- B. Emulsify fats into smaller droplets
- C. Convert starch into simple sugars
- D. Absorb water from intestinal contents
Explanation: Bile emulsifies fats, increasing their surface area for pancreatic lipase to act on them.
Correct answer: Emulsify fats into smaller droplets- A. Most absorption occurs in the stomach
- B. Most absorption occurs in the small intestine
- C. Most absorption occurs in the rectum
- D. Most absorption occurs in the oesophagus
Explanation: The small intestine is the main site of nutrient absorption because its villi and microvilli provide a large surface area.
Correct answer: Most absorption occurs in the small intestine- A. Liver
- B. Gallbladder
- C. Pancreas
- D. Large intestine
Explanation: The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Its exocrine part releases enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum, while its…
Correct answer: Pancreas- A. Store bile before meals
- B. Increase the surface area for absorption
- C. Produce hydrochloric acid for digestion
- D. Move food from the mouth to the stomach
Explanation: Villi and their microvilli greatly increase the surface area available for absorption in the small intestine.
Correct answer: Increase the surface area for absorption- A. Offer oral rehydration solution
- B. Place the patient in a side-lying position
- C. Record the number of vomiting episodes
- D. Provide a high-protein meal
Explanation: The immediate priority is airway protection because drowsiness and vomiting increase the risk of aspiration.
Correct answer: Place the patient in a side-lying position- A. Digestion moves nutrients into blood, while absorption breaks food apart
- B. Digestion breaks food into smaller molecules, while absorption transfers them into blood or lymph
- C. Digestion occurs only in the mouth, while absorption occurs only in the stomach
- D. Digestion stores nutrients in cells, while absorption eliminates waste through the anus
Explanation: Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into absorbable molecules.
Correct answer: Digestion breaks food into smaller molecules, while absorption transfers them into blood or lymph- A. Carbohydrates
- B. Proteins
- C. Fats
- D. Nucleic acids
Explanation: Bile is needed to emulsify fats and support their digestion and absorption.
Correct answer: Fats- A. Hepatic portal vein
- B. Hepatic artery
- C. Inferior vena cava
- D. Pulmonary vein
Explanation: The hepatic portal vein carries absorbed nutrients from the stomach and intestines to the liver for processing and storage.
Correct answer: Hepatic portal vein- A. Parietal cell
- B. Chief cell
- C. Goblet cell
- D. Enteroendocrine cell
Explanation: Chief cells release pepsinogen, which is converted to pepsin by the acidic stomach contents.
Correct answer: Chief cell- A. Pepsin
- B. Pancreatic lipase
- C. Salivary amylase
- D. Lactase
Explanation: Pepsin begins significant protein digestion in the stomach after pepsinogen is activated by hydrochloric acid.
Correct answer: Pepsin- A. Protein
- B. Fat
- C. Starch
- D. Water
Explanation: Pancreatic lipase is essential for fat digestion, so pancreatic insufficiency commonly causes greasy, bulky stools called steatorrhea.
Correct answer: Fat- A. Secreting insulin into blood
- B. Absorbing water and electrolytes
- C. Digesting most dietary protein
- D. Producing hydrochloric acid
Explanation: The large intestine absorbs remaining water and electrolytes and forms and stores feces.
Correct answer: Absorbing water and electrolytes- A. Vitamin B12 with intrinsic factor
- B. Iron with gastric acid
- C. Glucose with sodium
- D. Water with electrolytes
Explanation: The terminal ileum absorbs vitamin B12 after it binds to intrinsic factor.
Correct answer: Vitamin B12 with intrinsic factor- A. Pancreatic bicarbonate
- B. Gastric pepsin
- C. Bile pigment
- D. Salivary mucus
Explanation: Pancreatic bicarbonate raises the pH of acidic chyme entering the duodenum and protects the intestinal lining.
Correct answer: Pancreatic bicarbonate17. A patient asks what the gallbladder does after a fatty meal. Which response by the nurse is correct?
- A. It releases stored bile into the duodenum
- B. It produces pancreatic enzymes for digestion
- C. It absorbs amino acids into the bloodstream
- D. It converts glucose into glycogen
Explanation: The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile made by the liver and releases it into the duodenum when fat enters the intestine.
Correct answer: It releases stored bile into the duodenum- A. Reduced nutrient absorption
- B. Increased bile production
- C. Excess hydrochloric acid
- D. Increased rectal storage
Explanation: Damage to the small intestinal mucosa reduces the effective absorptive surface and can cause malabsorption, weight loss, and nutrient…
Correct answer: Reduced nutrient absorption- A. Food is physically broken into smaller pieces
- B. Enzymes split food into simpler molecules
- C. Nutrients enter the intestinal blood or lymph
- D. Cells use absorbed nutrients for energy or growth
Explanation: Assimilation is the cellular use of absorbed nutrients for energy, repair, growth, or storage.
Correct answer: Cells use absorbed nutrients for energy or growth- A. Reduced synthesis of plasma proteins
- B. Failure to produce salivary amylase
- C. Loss of peristalsis in the oesophagus
- D. Inability to release insulin from beta cells
Explanation: The liver synthesizes important plasma proteins, including albumin and several clotting factors, and also processes nutrients and…
Correct answer: Reduced synthesis of plasma proteinsDigestive System MCQs: common questions
Are these Digestive System MCQs free?
Yes. All Digestive System MCQs from Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing are free on TestUstad, with unlimited attempts and no account needed. Nothing on this page is a sample or a trial.
How many Digestive System MCQs are on this page?
There are 40 Digestive System MCQs in the Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Digestive System MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Digestive System question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed Digestive System test?
Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Digestive System test drawn from the Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.