Digestive System Procedures

Question 1

Insertion of a nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach to relieve gastric distention by removing gas, food, or gastric secretions; instill medication, food or fluids; or obtain a specimen for laboratory analysis

Answer 1

nasogastric intubation

Question 2

Surgical joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another

Answer 2

anastomosis

Question 3

Surgical connection of the ileum and rectum after total colectomy, as is sometimes performed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Answer 3

ileorectal

Question 4

Surgical connection of two portions of the intestines; also called entroenterostomy

Answer 4

intestinal

Question 5

Group of procedures that treat morbid obesity

Answer 5

bariatric surgery

Question 6

Bariatric surgery that involves vertical stapling of the upper stomach near the esophagus to reduce it to a small pouch and insertion of a band that restricts food consumption and delays its passage from the pouch, causing the feeling of fullness

Answer 6

vertical banded gastroplasty

Question 7

Bariatric surgery that involves stapling the stomach to decrease its size and then shortening the jejunum and connecting it to the small stomach pouch, causing the base of the duodenum leading from the nonfuctioning portion of the stomach to form a Y configuration, which decreases the pathway of food through the intestine, thus reducing absorption of calories and fats

Answer 7

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB)

Question 8

Creation of an opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall to its outside surface in order to divert fecal flow to a colostomy bag

Answer 8

colostomy

Question 9

Procedure for crushing a stone and eliminating its fragments surgically or using ultrasonic shock waves

Answer 9

lithotripsy

Question 10

Use of shock waves as a noninvasive method to break up stone in the gallbladder or biliary ducts

Answer 10

extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

Question 11

Excision of a polyp

Answer 11

polypectomy

Question 12

Incision of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the pylorus, which is used to treat hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Answer 12

pyloromyotomy

Question 13

Visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract using a flexible fiberoptic instrument with amagnifying lens and light source (endoscope) to identify abnormalities, including bleeding, ulcerations, and tumors

Answer 13

gastrointestinal endoscopy

Question 14

Panel of blood tests that identifies the specific virus - hepatisis A, B, or C - that is causing hepatitis by testing serum using antibodies to each of these antigens

Answer 14

hepatitis panel

Question 15

Group of blood tests that evaluate liver injury, liver function, and conditions commonly associated with the biliary tract

Answer 15

liver function tests (LFTs)

Question 16

Measurement of the level of bilirubin in the blood

Answer 16

serum bilirubin

Question 17

Test to identify microorganisms or parasites present in feces that are causing a gastrointestinal infection

Answer 17

stool culture

Question 18

Test that applies a substance called guaiac to a stool sample to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the feces; also called Hemoccult

Answer 18

stool guaiac

Question 19

Imagining technique achieved by rotating an x-ray emitter aroudn the area to be scanned and measuring the intesity of transmitted rays from different angles

Answer 19

computed tomography (CT)

Question 20

Radiographic images of the rectum and colon following administration of barium into the rectum; also calle dlower GI series or barium enema

Answer 20

lower gastrointestinal series

Question 21

Radiographic images taken of the gallbladder after administration of a contrast material containing iodine, usually in the form of a tablet

Answer 21

oral cholecystography (OCG)

Question 22

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts and gallbladder in a nonivasive manner

Answer 22

magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

(MRCP)

Question 23

Radiologic examination of the salivary glands and ducts

Answer 23

sialography

Question 24

High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are directed at soft tissue and reflected a “echoes” to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure; also called sonography and echo

Answer 24

ultrasonography (US)

Question 25

Ultrasound visualizaiton of the abdominal aorta, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, ureters, and bladder

Answer 25

abdominal ultrasonography

Question 26

Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to examine and obtain images of the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs

Answer 26

endoscopic

Question 27

Radiographic images of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine following oral administration of barium; also called barium swallow

Answer 27

upper gastointestinal series (UGIS)

Question 28

Counteract or neutralize acidity, usually in the stomach

Answer 28

antacids

calcium carbonate

Question 29

Control loose stools and relieve diarrhea by absorbing excess water in the bowel or slowing peristalsis in the intestinal tract

Answer 29

antidiarrheals

loperamide, kaolin/pectin

Question 30

Control nausea and vomiting by blocking nerve impulses to the vomiting center of the brain

Answer 30

antiemetics

prochlorperazine, ondansetron

Question 31

Decrease gastrointestinal (GI) spasms by slowing peristalsis and motility throughout the GI tract

Answer 31

antispasmodics

glycopyrrolate, dicyclomine

Question 32

Treat constipation by increasing peristaltic activity in the lare intestine or increasing water and electrolyte secretion into the bowel to induce defecation

Answer 32

laxatives

senna, sennosides, psyllium