Gastrintestinal Examination

Question 1

What does clubbing indicate in GI exam?

Answer 1

Irritable bowel disease or liver cirrhosis

Question 2

What is palmer erythema and what does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 2

1. Red palms
2. Chronic liver disease

Question 3

What do pale palmer creases indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 3

Anaemia

Question 4

1. What is leukonychia?
2. What does it indicate in GI exams?

Answer 4

1. White nails
2. Low albumin caused by chronic liver disease

Question 5

1. What is koilonychia
2. What does it indicate in GI exams

Answer 5

1. Spooning of the finger nails
2. Iron deficiency anaemia

Question 6

1. What is dupuytren’s contracture?
2. What does it indicate in GI exams?

Answer 6

1. Thickening of tendons in the hand
2. Excessive alcohol

Question 7

What does flapping tremor indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 7

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Question 8

1. What is pale conjuctivae
2. What does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 8

1. Pale eyelids when pulled down
2. Anaemia

Question 9

1. What is foetor hepatitis?
2. What does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 9

1. Bad breath
2. Liver failure

Question 10

What do oral ulcers indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 10

Crhons disease

Question 11

1. What is angular cheilitis?
2. What does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 11

1. Rash in the corner of the mouth
2. Iron deficiency anaemia

Question 12

1. What is oral pigmentation?
2. What does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 12

1. Black spots in the mouth and gums
2. Peutz-jeghers syndrome

Question 13

1. What is glossitis
2. What does it indicate in a GI exam?

Answer 13

1. Enlarged tongue
2. Iron/B12/folate deficiency

Question 14

What is oral candididiasis?

Answer 14

Fungal infection of the mouth (thrush)

Question 15

Which lymph node is particularly important in a GI exam?

Answer 15

Virchows lymph node is associated with abdominal malignancy

Question 16

What is the chest examined for in a GI exam?

Answer 16

Spider navigation which may indicate chronic liver disease or cirrhosis

Question 17

Which organs do you palmate in a GI exam?

Answer 17

General palpation of the 9 abdominal regions, then palmate to feel the borders of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and aorta

Question 18

How is ascites tested for in a GI exam?

Answer 18

Shifting dullness test

Question 19

How is a shifting dullness test performed?

Answer 19

Percus abdomen starting at umbilicus, and continue left until dullness is heard. Have the patient roll to their right side and percus again. If resonant then shifting dullness test is +ve

Question 20

What further exams could be done after a GI exam?

Answer 20

Examine hernial orifices
Rectal exam
Urinalysis
Bmi
Stool samples
Imaging