CH. 20 ABDOMINAL AND GI EMERGENCY Flashcards
inflammation of the gallbladder without the presence of gallstones
acalculus chlecystitus
light, clay colored stools indicative of liver failure
acholic stools
a condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment
acute abdomen
a family of conditions that revolve around a central theme of infection with fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
acute gastroenteritis
linear tears to the mucosal lining in and near the anus, possibly caused by the passage of large, hard stools; a cause of lower GI bleeding
anal fissures
inflammation of the appendix
appendicitis
abdominal edema typically signaling liver failure
ascites
a group of disorders that involve inflammation of the gallbladder; these include choleangitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and acalculus cholecystitis
biliary tract disorders
a bowel sound characterized by increased activity within the bowel; also called hyperperistalsis
borborygmi
sphincter that serves as a door way connecting the esophagus and the stomach and controls the amount of food that moves up the esophagus
cardiac sphincter
inflammation of the bile duct
choleangitis
the presence of stones within the gallbladder
cholelithiasis
the inflammation of the gall bladder
cholecystitis
early liver failure characterized by portal hypertension, coagulation deficiencies and diminished detoxification
cirrhosis
the term given to the slurry of food that has been partially digested, then exits the stomach and enters the duodenum
chyme
inflammation of the ileum and possibly other portions of the GI tract in which the immune system attacks portions of the intestinal walls, causing them to become scarred, narrowed, stiff and weakened
Crohn disease
a state in which the body lacks adequate fluids because of inadequate water intake or excessive fluid loss
dehydration
liquid stool
diarrhea
the mechanical and chemical breakdown of ht large molecules in food into small molecules that can be absorbed in the GI tract and converted to energy for cellular function
digestion
inflammation of the pouches in the colon; these pouches forma as a result of difficulty moving feces through the colon. Once the pouches are formed, bacteria can become trapped in the pouches leading to inflammation and infection
diverticulitis
a weak area in the colon that begins to have small outcroppings that turn into pouches; plural is diverticula
diverticulum
severe abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant with coughing; a method for evaluating a patient for peritonitis
Dunphy sign
insertion of a flexible fiberoptic tube into the esophagus to visualize, remove, or repair damaged or disease tissue
endoscopy
the region of the abdomen directly inferior to the xiphoid process and superior to the umbilicus
epigastric
dilated blood vessels of the esophagus caused by difficulty in the blood flow through the liver; the presence of these can lead to vessel rupture
esophagogastric varices
smelling of feces
feculent
an abnormal connection between two cavities
fistula
inflammation of the stomach
gastritis
a condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move superiorly; can cause burning sensation within the chest and also called acid reflux disease
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
a congenital malformation in which an embryo develops improperly and a portion of the GI tract develops outside of the abdominal wall instead of inside
gastroschisis
vomit with blood
hematemesis
passage of stool in which bright red blood can be distinguished
hematochezia
impairment of brain function resulting from failure of the liver
hepatic encephalopathy
inflammation of the liver caused by a virus that cause fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function
hepatitis
the protrusion of a loop of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening
hernia
a bowel sound characterized by increased activity within the bowel; also called borborygami
hyperperistalsis
decreased bowel sounds
hypoperistalsis
yellowish coloration of the conjunctiva caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the blood during liver failure
icteric
a type of hernia in which an organ is trapped in the new location; obstruction of the bowel
incarcerated
a type of hernia in which intestinal contents herniate through an incision; like after abdominal surgery
incisional
telescoping of the intestines into themselves
intussusception
a condition in which patients have abdominal pain and changes in their bowel habits; generally pain must be present for at least 3 days a month for at least 3 months to be considered a disease
irritable bowel syndrome
a condition in which the junction between the esophagus and the stomach tears causing severe bleeding and potentially death
Mallory-Weiss syndrome
incorrect rotation of intestines as a result of congenital anomaly such as gastroschisis; can result in intestinal obstruction
malrotation
dark, tarry, malodorous stools caused by upper GI bleeding
melena
an interruption in blood supply to the mesentary
mesenteric ischemia
pressure applied to the upper right quadrant of the abdomen to help detect gallbladder problems
murphy signs
assessment of vital signs in two different patient positions to determine degree of hypovolemia
orthostatic vital signs
inflammation of the pancreas
pancreatitis
pain caused by the inflammation of the parietal peritoneum that is generally described as steady aching and aggravated by movement
parietal pain
a disease in which the mucous lining of the stomach and duodenum have been eroded, allowing the acid to eat into these organs
peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
rhythmic contraction of the intestines and esophagus that allow material to move through them
peristalsis
inflammation of the peritoneum, the protective membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities
peritonitis
increased pressure in the portal veins; caused by the inability of blood to normally flow through the liver; can lead to rupture of these vessels
portal hypertension
a large vessel created by the intersection of blood vessels from the GI system; the portal vein drains into the liver
portal vein
term used to describe an abdomen with a convex, or distended, shape; can be caused by edema
protuberant
itching
pruritus
hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter of the stomach; leads to intestinal obstruction often in infants
pyloric stenosis
pain that the patient feels when the pressure is released as opposed to when the pressure is applied; characteristic of appendicitis
rebound tenderness
an infection involving a collection of pus in the rectal walls that result from blockage of the rectal mucus ducts
rectal abscess
the pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located
referred pain
a concave shape of the abdomen and cane caused by evisceration
scaphoid
a bowel movement that has a soft serve ice cream consistency
soft stool
localized pain felt deeply representing irritation or injury to tissue causing activation of peripheral nerve tracts
somatic pain
foamy, fatty stools associated with the liver failure or gallbladder problems
steatorrhea
complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue
stangulated
vertical stretch marks that occur when a person loses or gains weight rapidly
striae
a loud high pitched sound similar to the sound of a drum heard on percussion of a hollow space like an empty stomach or puffed out cheek
tympanic
generalized inflammation of the colon that result in a weakened dilated rectum making it prone to infection and bleeding
ulcerative colitis
the region of the abdomen surrounding the umbilicus
umbilical
an itching rash
urticaria
crampy aching pain deep within the body, the source of which is usually difficult to pinpoint; common with urologic problems
visceral pain
twisting of the bowel until a kink occurs; results in blocked flow
volvulus
