Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on biliary atresia. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse is caring for a pediatric patient with a history of biliary atresia as an infant. The nurse recalls that this condition may affect which major organ(s)?
Select all that apply.
A. Liver
B. Stomach
C. Rectum
D. Esophagus
E. Duodenum
Scroll down for the correct answer!
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The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
E. Duodenum
Rationale: The duodenum can be impacted by biliary atresia. The duodenum is connected to the gallbladder via the common bile duct. The gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile through the cystic duct, down the common bile duct, and into the duodenum, to help with digestion.
Main Takeaway
Biliary atresia refers to the obstruction or total absence of bile ducts, which results in impaired bile flow from the liver into the gallbladder and small intestine. This condition can impact the liver and duodenum. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped hollow organ found beneath the liver that stores and concentrates the bile. Liver cells produce bile, which helps digest fats in the intestines. The bile flows from the liver into the right and left hepatic ducts, which merge to form the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct is where the cystic duct opens. The cystic duct functions like a two-way street, allowing the passage of bile from the liver to the gallbladder, where it is stored in between meals; while at the same time allowing bile to pass from the gallbladder into the common bile duct which is the part of the bile duct below the opening of the cystic duct. After a high-fat meal, the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile through the cystic duct, down the common bile duct, and into the duodenum to help with digestion. Afterward, some of the bile is excreted through feces, giving them their characteristic color, while some are reabsorbed into the blood and then eliminated through urine.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
A. Liver
Rational: Biliary atresia can impair bile flow from the liver. The liver is connected to the gallbladder via the cystic duct, which functions like a two-way street, allowing the passage of bile from the liver to the gallbladder for storage in between meals. The cystic duct also allows the bile to pass from the gallbladder into the common bile duct.
B. Stomach
Rationale: Although the stomach is involved in digestion, the stomach is not connected to the gallbladder or biliary tree, thus not impacted by biliary atresia.
C. Rectum
Rationale: Although bile is excreted through stool, which passes through the rectum, the biliary tree does not connect to the rectum. Therefore, the rectum is not impacted by biliary atresia.
D. Esophagus
Rationale: Although involved in the passage of a food bolus from the mouth to the stomach, the esophagus is not connected to the gallbladder or biliary tree. Therefore, the esophagus is not impacted by biliary atresia.
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