Gastroenterology Flashcards
Which antibiotic is most strongly associated with Clostridium difficile infections?
Clindamycin
What is ranitidine?
H2 receptor antagonist
What is the MELD score?
The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score
A cirrhosis severity scoring system that predicts three-month survival
What is the Child-Pugh score?
A method of determining prognosis in liver disease, particularly cirrhosis
Which clinical features suggest decompensation of cirrhosis?
Jaundice
Ascites
Variceal haemorrhage
Hepatic encephalopathy
What causes ascites in liver disease?
Portal hypertension rather than hypoalbuminemia
Why do patients with liver disease have hypoalbuminemia?
The liver produces albumin
How is hepatic encephalopathy treated?
Lactulose
How does lactulose work in hepatic encephalopathy?
lactulose is converted to lactic acid by intestinal flora → acidification in the gut leads to conversion of ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NH4+) → ammonium is excreted in the faeces → decreased blood ammonia concentration
What is the function of bile?
Absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
What is Reynold’s pentad?
Ascending cholangitis
- RUQ pain
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Shock (low BP, tachycardia)
- Altered mental status
What is the most common benign tumour of the kidney?
Angiomyolipoma
What is a Sister Mary Joseph nodule?
Palpable nodule bulging into the umbilicus as a result of metastasis of malignant cancer in the pelvis or abdomen

What is emphysematous cholecystitis?
Infection of the gallbladder with gas-forming bacteria
Air is found in the gallbladder wall or lumen
What is the most common renal malignancy in adults?
Renal cell carcinoma
What is the triad of renal cell carcinoma?
- Haematuria (most common)
- Flank pain
- Palpable flank pass
Only 5-10% of patients present with all three components of the triad
What is the major complication of rapid paracentesis?
Paracentesis-induced circulatory shock
Fast reaccumulation of ascites
Hyponatremia
Renal impairment
Impaired survival
How does alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency affect the liver?
Impaired secretion of alpha-1-antitrypsin by hepatocytes → intracellular accumulation of alpha-1-antitrypsin → hepatocyte destruction → hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
Which two antibiotics can be used for C. diff infection?
Metronidazole
Vancomycin (severe disease)
Only time when oral vanc is used. Vanc is not absorbed by the GI but stays in the large bowel where it can kill C diff
Which biomarkers can be used to diagnose and monitor IBD?
Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin
What is cholelithiasis?
Gallstones
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder
What is cholangitis?
Infection of the biliary tree
What are the risk factors for cholelithiasis?
Fat, Female, Fertile (multiple children or pregnant), Forty (or older), Fair-skinned, Family history
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