Chapter 18: Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies Flashcards
The abdominal cavity is lined by:
The peritoneum
Covers all organs
Visceral peritoneum
Covers all organs in the abdominal cavity
Visceral peritoneum
Foreign material such as blood, pus, or bile can irritate the peritoneum causes:
Peritonitis
Lines the walls of the abdominal cavity
Parietal peritoneum
“Acute abdomen” refers to:
The sudden onset of abdominal pain.
Inflammation of peritoneum
Typically causes ileus
Peritonitis
Paralysis of muscular contractions
Retained gas and feces cause distention
Stomach empties by emesis (vomiting)
Ileus
Inflammation of small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
Supplied by the autonomic nervous system.
a. Nerves are far less able to localize sensation. i. Patients will not be able to describe exactly where the pain is. ii. Called referred pain
The visceral peritoneum
Supplied by the same nerves that supply the skin of the abdomen.
a. Can perceive pain, touch, pressure, heat, cold i. Can easily identify and localize a point of irritation
The parietal peritoneum
Protective layer of mucus erodes, allowing acid to eat into the organ
May lead to gastric bleeding
Some heal without intervention.
Ulcers
The gallbladder stores digestive juices and waste from liver.
May form and block its outlet.
Cause pain
Lead to cholecystitis
Gallstones
Inflammation of the pancreas
Caused by obstructing gallstone, alcohol abuse, or other diseases
Signs and symptoms include pain in upper left and right quadrants, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention
Sepsis or hemorrhage may occur.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation or infection in the appendix
Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever, chills, rebound tenderness
Appendicitis
Bleeding within gastrointestinal tract
May be acute or chronic
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed by infection or acids from the stomach.
Pain in swallowing, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, sores in mouth
Esophagitis
Capillary network in the esophagus leaks.
Fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, anorexia, edema, abdominal pain
Esophageal varices
Junction between esophagus and stomach tears
Principal symptom: vomiting
Mallory-Weiss syndrome
Infection from bacterial or viral organisms or caused by noninfectious conditions
Principal symptom: diarrhea
Gastroenteritis
Fecal matter becomes caught in colon walls, causing inflammation and infection.
Fever, malaise, body aches, chills
Diverticulitis
Created by swelling and inflammation of blood vessels surrounding rectum
Bright red blood during defecation
Hemorrhoids
When the kidneys fail, what results?
Uremia results. Waste product (urea) remains in blood.
Sudden decrease in kidney function
Reversible with prompt diagnosis and treatment
Acute kidney failure
Irreversible
Progressive, develops over months/years
Eventually dialysis or transplant is required.
Chronic kidney failure
Protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening into a body cavity where it does not belong
May not always produce noticeable mass or lump
Strangulation is a serious medical emergency.
Hernia
