Constipation/Diarrhea Flashcards
Red flag questions for constipation
Rectal bleeding/blood in stool
Unintentional weight loss
Hx IBD
Hx/Fhx colorectal cancer
Name the constipation ddx:
Low dietary fiber and bulk
Inadequate fluid intake
Physical inactivity
Anorexia
Pain before and after bowel movements
Normal exams
Simple constipation
Name the constipation ddx:
Chronic use laxatives
Straining during defacation
Hard or lumpy stools
Sensation of incomplete evacuation and/or anorectal obstruction
Possible distention
Palpable stool in LLQ
Functional constipation
Name the constipation ddx:
Passage of hard stool at 3-5 day intervals
Diarrhea
Small caliber stools
Common in those confined to bed
Obstipation/impactation
IBS tx
Antispasmodics
Digestive enzymes
Name the constipation ddx:
Rectal pain on defacation
Hx hemorrhoids
Blood on stool, tissue, in toilet
Anorectal lesions
Name the constipation ddx:
Recent onset -
Pain and abdominal distention
Stool leakage
Urgency
Late onset -
Weight loss
Anorexia
Rectal bleeding
Colorectal cancer
Name the diarrhea ddx:
Abrupt onset 6-12 hr post exposure
Nonbloody, watery diarrhea
Lasts <1 wk
N/V
Fever
Abdominal pain
Viral gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis tx
Manage dehydration
Name the diarrhea ddx:
Acute onset 2 hrs - 3/5 days post exposure
Bloody diarrhea
Abdominal cramping
N/V
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Name the diarrhea ddx:
Intermittent diarrhea alternating w constipation
Mucus with stool
Seldom occurs at night
Rectal urgency
Episodes triggered by stress or ingestion of food
Tender to palpation
IBS
Name the diarrhea ddx:
Hx severe diarrhea with gross blood in stools
Rectal bleeding
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis treatment
Immunosuppressants
Surgery
Name the diarrhea ddx:
Hx chronic bloody diarrhea with abdominal cramping and tenderness
Rectal bleeding
Weight loss
Crohn disease
Crohn disease tx
immunosuppressants
Fiber
