Ch9: GI & Hepatology Flashcards
what causes almost all duodenal ulcers?
h. pylori
> 95%
its not too much acid, its not too much stress - its a bacterial infection
(2) typical symptoms of GERD
- heartburn
- regurgitation
a CLINICAL diagnossi
how do you diagnose GERD
clinically, based on symptoms
upper endoscopy, barium radiograph, H. pylori testing are NOT needed routinely, only if refractory to standard care or alarm symptoms
ALARMS findings in GERD that warrant upper endoscopy
A - anemia (iron deficiency, signals GI bleeding)
L - loss of weight (involuntary)
A - anorexia (persistent)
R - recent onset of progressive symptoms
M - melena (tarry or bloody stools) or hematemesis (vomiting, bright red blood)
S - swallowing difficulty (dysphagia, odynophagia)
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
odynophagia
painful swallowing
first line pharm therapy for GERD
PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
usually taken QD prior to the first meal of the day for maximum effect
Can use lowest effective dose as daily, on demand, or intermittent therapy
acceptable alternative: H2 receptor antagonist therapy (e.g., ranitidine)
when should you refer a patient with GERD for GI evaluation with upper endoscopy?
- failing PPI BID at maximum recommended dose
- protracted PPI use with adverse effects (e.g., nutrient malabsorption, bone loss, pneumonia, C. diff)
once someone has been on a PPI for at least _____, they will have rebound hyperacidity when coming off of them
8 weeks
Possible adverse effects from protracted PPI use (4)
- micronutrient malabsorption (vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, iron)
- increased fracture risk, decreased bone density
- pneumonia
- C. diff infection risk
Lifestyle modifications for GERD
- weight loss PRN
- elevate the head of the bed
- avoid meals 2-3 hours before bedtime
- avoid trigger foods (chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods)
common GERD triggers
- chocolate
- caffeine
- alcohol
- acidic foods (tomatoes, lemonade, etc.)
clinical presentation of GERD
- heartburn
- regurgitation
- recurrent cough
- chronic pharyngitis
- hoarseness
often exacerbated by obesity
one of the most common reasons for adults to have hoarseness and recurrent cough
GERD
78yo M with PMH of longstanding GERD presents with 1-mo history of dysphagia, “feeling like the food gets stuck in my throat.” Physical exam unremarkable. Labs return an iron deficiency anemia
top (3) differential dx
- esophageal cancer
- esophageal strictures
- esophagitis
78yo M with PMH of longstanding GERD presents with 1-mo history of dysphagia, “feeling like the food gets stuck in my throat.” Physical exam unremarkable. Labs return an iron deficiency anemia. You suspect esophagitis, esophageal strictures, or esophageal cancer. Next diagnostic step?
upper endoscopy with biopsy
barium swallow would outline the lesion, but would still need an upper endoscopy with biopsy were a lesion to be found
pt is diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. which medication will you prescribe to specifically prevent recurrence of the ulcer?
- antibiotics (since duodenal ulcers are caused by h.pylori bacteria)
you will also prescribe PPI and recommend antacid to help heal the ulcer, but the antibiotics are what will prevent it from coming back by eradicating the underlying cause
when is leukocytosis (elevated WBC >10,000) an anticipated finding?
significant bacterial infection, such as appendicitis, pyelonephritis, bacterial pneumonia, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.
leukocytosis
WBCs >10,000 mm3
normal range WBC count
6,000 - 10,000 mm3
normal % of neutrophils on a CBC with diff
60%
normal % of lymphocytes on a CBC with diff
30%
normal % of monocytes on a CBC with diff
6%
normal % of eosinophils on a CBC with diff
3%
normal % of basophil on a CBC with diff
1%
Nobody Likes My Educational Background: mnemonic for order of differential cells on WBC
N - neutrophil L - lymphocytes M - monocyte E - eosinophil B - basophil
“polys” or “segs’ refers to
neutrophils
what are “bands”
immature (young) neutrophils
point of action for neutrophils
bacterial infection
point of action for lymphocytes
viral infection
point of action for monocytes
debris (recovering from illness)
naturally go up when the body is tidying up after infection
point of action for esosinophils
allergens, parasites (3 WERIDS: worms, wheezes, weird diseases)
point of action for basophils
anaphylaxis, not fully understood
what does a WBC with a left shift mean
leukocytosis with neutrophilia (high neutrophils) and elevated bands (immature neutrophils)
suggests bacterial infection
normal range for “bands”
<3%
classic presentation of appendicitis
- 12-hr history of epigastric discomfort and anorexia that gradually shifts to nausea and RLQ abdominal pain
- positive peritoneal irritation signs (obturator, psoas, rovsing)
most helpful imaging in suspected appendicitis
abdominal CT with contrast
abdominal US is okay to use in slender folks
(2) most common causes of acute pancreatitis
- alcohol abuse
- untreated gallstones
what is “Blumberg’s sign”
sign for rebound tenderness
45yo M with PMH alcohol abuse presents with 12-hr history of acute-onset epigastric pain radiating to the back with bloating, nausea, and vomiting
on physical exam, has epigastric tenderness, hypoactive bowel sounds, distended abdomen that is hypertympanic.
what do you suspect? next steps?
suspect acute pancreatitis
order CBC with diff, amylase/lipase
send to ER because vomiting with hypertympanic abdomen = likely paralytic ileus
also because needs pain management and likely wont be able to keep down PO meds