Abdomen Flashcards
What is anorexia?
Loss of appetite that occurs with gastrointestinal disease
When also can anorexia occur?
- As a side effect of some medications
- With pregnancy
- Psychological disorders
What are some signs of gastrointestinal cancers?
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
What disorders can dysphagia occur?
Disorders of throat and esophagus, such as later stages of esophageal cancer
What are two examples of food intolerances that could affect abdomen? What symptoms do they cause?
- Lactase deficiency: causes bloating
- Wheat allergy/Gluten intolerances: causes abdominal pain, distention or diarrhea
Why do we ask patients if they take antacids?
To determine whether they have heartburn
What is pyrosis?
Heartburn: a burning sensation in esophagus and stomach cause by reflux of gastric acid
What is eructation? When might it occur excessively?
Belching, may occur with food intolerances
Why would we get our patient to point to where their abdomen pain is? (what are 3 causes it could be)
- Visceral: from an internal organ
- Parietal: from inflammation of overlying peritoneum
- Referred: from a disorder in another site
What are the distinguishing symptoms of visceral and parietal pain?
- Visceral: dull, general and poorly localized
- Parietal: sharp, precisely localized, aggravated by movement
What are some pain that would lead to urgent diagnosis?
appendicitis, cholecystitis, bowel obstruction or perforation of organ
What is pain in upper abdomen a symptom of?
Later stages of GI neoplasms (liver or pancreatic cancer)
Chronic pain of gastric ulcers usually occurs when?
On empty stomach
When does pain of duodenal ulcers occur?
2-3 hours after food and is relieved by more food
Why do we ask patients if they have experienced any nausea or vomiting when talking about abdomen?
It is a common side effect of many medication, with GI disease or early pregnancy
What is a symptom that can occur in later stages of GI neoplasms?
Nausea/vomiting
What is hematemesis? When does it occur
- Vomiting of blood
- With stomach/duodenal ulcers and esophageal varices
If you ask patient about what they ate in the last 24 hours, and whether other family members are experiencing the same symptoms, what are eluding to?
Food poisoning
What would black/tarry stool be caused by?
From occult blood from GI bleeding
What can cause black/nontarry stool?
Iron mediations
What causes grey stool?
Hepatitis
When does red blood in stool occur?
With GI bleeding, or localized bleeding around anus
What are some symptoms of colorectal cancer?
- Narrower than usual
- Blood in stool
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
What is FAP?
Familial adenomatous polyposis
What causes FAP?
Genetic mutation that can be inherited
An individual with FAP increases their risk of colon cancer by what percent
87%
Can over the counter drugs (acetaminophen) have toxic effects?
Yes, on the liver
What can cause peptic ulcer disease?
- Frequent use of NSAIDs
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- H. pylori infectection
What can the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba cause?
- GI upset
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Prolonged bleeding
In regards to abdomen organs, what can heavy alcohol consumption cause
- Esophageal and liver cancer
- Liver cirrhosis
Alcohol can increase the toxic effects of __________
acetaminophen on the liver
Smoking puts you at a risk for what 3 types of cancers in regards to abdomen organs?
- Esophageal
- Stomach
- Pancreatic
When asking a patient about their diet, what is it based off of?
24 hour recall
What are 4 things that could cause nutritional deficit in older adults?
- Limited access to grocery store
- Limited income
- Limited to cooking facilities
- Physical disability ( lack of strength, vision impairment, neurological deficit, etc)
Why would we ask an older adult whether they eat alone or share their meals with others?
People who live alone, may not want to prepare meals. Also can cause depression and social isolation
What would you do differently when asking an older adult about their eating recall?
- 24 hr recall may be more difficult for older adults so instead ask them to keep a week long diary of intake
What should fluid intake in older adults be? Why?
1500-2000 mL/day to prevent constipation
Why would we ask an older adult about what medications they take in regards to the abdomen?
There could be GI side effects including nausea, upset stomach, anorexia and dry mouth
