Chapter 18: Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies

Question 1

The abdominal cavity is lined by:

Answer 1

The peritoneum

Question 2

Covers all organs

Answer 2

Visceral peritoneum

Question 3

Covers all organs in the abdominal cavity

Answer 3

Visceral peritoneum

Question 4

Foreign material such as blood, pus, or bile can irritate the peritoneum causes:

Answer 4

Peritonitis

Question 5

Lines the walls of the abdominal cavity

Answer 5

Parietal peritoneum

Question 6

“Acute abdomen” refers to:

Answer 6

The sudden onset of abdominal pain.

Question 7

Inflammation of peritoneum

Typically causes ileus

Answer 7

Peritonitis

Question 8

Paralysis of muscular contractions
Retained gas and feces cause distention
Stomach empties by emesis (vomiting)

Answer 8

Ileus

Question 9

Inflammation of small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls

Answer 9

Diverticulitis

Question 10

Inflammation of the gallbladder

Answer 10

Cholecystitis

Question 11

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

Answer 11

The visceral peritoneum

Question 12

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

Answer 12

The parietal peritoneum

Question 13

Protective layer of mucus erodes, allowing acid to eat into the organ
May lead to gastric bleeding
Some heal without intervention.

Answer 13

Ulcers

Question 14

The gallbladder stores digestive juices and waste from liver.
May form and block its outlet.
Cause pain
Lead to cholecystitis

Answer 14

Gallstones

Question 15

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.

Answer 15

Pancreatitis

Question 16

Inflammation or infection in the appendix

Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever, chills, rebound tenderness

Answer 16

Appendicitis

Question 17

Bleeding within gastrointestinal tract

May be acute or chronic

Answer 17

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Question 18

Lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed by infection or acids from the stomach.
Pain in swallowing, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, sores in mouth

Answer 18

Esophagitis

Question 19

Capillary network in the esophagus leaks.

Fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, anorexia, edema, abdominal pain

Answer 19

Esophageal varices

Question 20

Junction between esophagus and stomach tears

Principal symptom: vomiting

Answer 20

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Question 21

Infection from bacterial or viral organisms or caused by noninfectious conditions
Principal symptom: diarrhea

Answer 21

Gastroenteritis

Question 22

Fecal matter becomes caught in colon walls, causing inflammation and infection.
Fever, malaise, body aches, chills

Answer 22

Diverticulitis

Question 23

Created by swelling and inflammation of blood vessels surrounding rectum
Bright red blood during defecation

Answer 23

Hemorrhoids

Question 24

When the kidneys fail, what results?

Answer 24

Uremia results.
Waste product (urea) remains in blood.

Question 25

Sudden decrease in kidney function

Reversible with prompt diagnosis and treatment

Answer 25

Acute kidney failure

Question 26

Irreversible
Progressive, develops over months/years
Eventually dialysis or transplant is required.

Answer 26

Chronic kidney failure

Question 27

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.

Answer 27

Hernia