Gastroenteritis

Question 1

Gastroenteritis

Answer 1

Inflammation caused by infection of the stomach and small intestines. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria, and can be acute or chronic

Question 2

Types of viruses causing gastroenteritis

Answer 2

Rotavirus, norovirus

Question 3

Types of bacteria causing gastroenteritis

Answer 3

E-coli, salmonella, campylobacter

Question 4

Faecal-oral transmittion

Answer 4

Faeces in undigested waste that doesn’t get absorbed into the system. It can be contaminated by the pathogen and then gets passed on

Question 5

Reasons for transmission

Answer 5

Close interaction with infected people, contaminated food and water, practising poor hygiene habits

Question 6

Four stages of contamination

Answer 6

Ingestion, invasion, destruction, malfunction

Question 7

Ingestion

Answer 7

Pathogens enter the body via contaminated food/drink, close interaction with infected people and poor hygiene.

Question 8

Invasion

Answer 8

The pathogen directly invades the GI wall as the epithelial cells contain all the enzymes the virus needs to multiply. They are used to produce viral proteins and nucleic acid which form new viruses and can leave the cell to spread further

Question 9

Destruction

Answer 9

Pathogens continue the destruction of the muscosal lining of the bowel wall causing malfunction of digestive and absorptive functions.

Question 10

Malfunction

Answer 10

Toxins stimulate the secretion of fluid and electrolytes in the lumen. The inflammation causes exudation of fluid and cells, the intestines become overwhelmed and loose their ability to reabsorb, increasing peristaltic movements and gastric motility

Question 11

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

Answer 11

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, dehydration, lethargy, oligura and anuria

Question 12

Oligura

Answer 12

Urine output less than 1ml/kg/hour

Question 13

Anuria

Answer 13

Failure of the kidneys to produce urine

Question 14

Treatment of gastroenteritis

Answer 14

Oral rehydration therapy, nasogastric tube, IV fluids, practice hand washing

Question 15

Oral rehydration therapy

Answer 15

Encourage fluid intake, disencourage the drinking of juice and carbonated drinks and offer oral rehydration salt solutions

Question 16

Nasogastric tube

Answer 16

May be used if clinically dehydrated, vomiting persistently or refusing fluids

Question 17

IV fluids

Answer 17

If shock is suspected, clinically dehydrated or deteriorating

Question 18

Why are antibiotics not given

Answer 18

They will not cure a virus, so are not routinely given

Question 19

Why does gastroenteritis cause nausea and vomiting?

Answer 19

Due to the slower movement of the food through the stomach. Nerves send signals to contract the muscle lining of the stomach

Question 20

Why does gastroenteritis cause diarrhoea?

Answer 20

The pathogens cause the cells to die meaning the epithelial wall is unable to absorb fluids and nutrients. Toxins stimulate the production of more fluid which have to be excreted.

Question 21

Why does gastroenteritis cause dehydration?

Answer 21

Due to a severe loss of fluid, salts and minerals through vomiting and diarrhoea and the loss of ability to absorb fluids in the epithelial wall