Gastrointestinal

Question 1

Common symptoms of aphthous ulcers

Answer 1

• painful lumps in mouth

- discomfort when eating and drinking

Question 2

Common symptoms of gastroenteritis

Answer 2

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain

Question 3

Common symptoms of gastroparesis

Answer 3

• nausea and vomiting
• feeling full very quickly
• abdominal pain and bloating
• loss of appetite

Question 4

Common symptoms of appendicitis

Answer 4

• abdominal pain
• nausea and vomiting
• mild fever
• anorexia

Question 5

Common clinical features of coeliac disease

Answer 5

• diarrhoea
• failure to thrive
• prolonged fatigue
• abdominal pain and distension
• weight loss
• iron deficiency anaemia

Question 6

Common clinical features of colorectal cancer

Answer 6

• weight loss
• changes in bowel habits
• rectal bleeding
• abdominal/anal mass
• new onset iron deficiency anaemia
• lethargy
• anorexia

Question 7

Causes of steatorrhoea

Answer 7

• pancreatitis
• pancreatic cancer
• biliary obstruction
• coeliac disease
• medications, eg Orlistat

Question 8

Risk factors for gastrointestinal disease

Answer 8

• pre-existing gastrointestinal disease eg GORD
• family history of gastrointestinal disease
• alcohol, smoking and illicit drugs
• diet

Question 9

Symptoms associated with ascites

Answer 9

• abdominal distension

- SOB, due to diaphragmatic splinting

Question 10

Symptoms of cholecystitis

Answer 10

• RUQ pain
• jaundice
• fever
• nausea and vomiting
• fatigue
• loss of appetite

Question 11

Common features of constipation

Answer 11

• infrequent stools (<3 times/week)
• straining/discomfort on passing stool
• abdominal discomfort/pain
• overflow diarrhoea

Question 12

Common features of clostridium difficile colitis

Answer 12

• abdominal pain
• diarrhoea (watery)
• fever
• nausea and vomiting

Question 13

Symptoms of gastric ulcer

Answer 13

• epigastric pain, worsened by eating
• nausea
• poor appetite
• burping and regurgitation
• bloating

Question 14

Common features of Crohn’s disease

Answer 14

• weight loss
• lethargy
• diarrhoea (may be bloody)
• abdominal pain
• perianal disease (skin tags, ulcers)
• extra-intestinal features (arthritis, episcleritis, erythema nodosum, osteoporosis)

Question 15

Gastrointestinal causes of dysphagia

Answer 15

• GORD
• oesophageal stricture
• oesophageal cancer
• oesophageal achalasia

Question 16

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer

Answer 16

• dysphagia
• weight loss
• nausea and vomiting
• hoarseness
• chronic cough
• lethargy
• melaena

Question 17

Symptoms of oesophageal spasm

Answer 17

• chest pain
• vomiting and regurgitation
• dysphagia
• sensation of food being stuck in throat

Question 18

Symptoms of cholestasis

Answer 18

• generalised pruritus
• jaundice
• dark urine, pale stools

Question 19

Causes of RUQ

Answer 19

• biliary causes:
• • gallstones
• • acute cholecystitis
• hepatic causes:
• • hepatitis

Question 20

Causes of supra-pubic pain

Answer 20

• UTIs
• gynaecological causes (PID, ectopic pregnancy)
• constipation
• IBS

Question 21

Gastrointestinal causes of pruritus

Answer 21

• hepatitis
• liver cirrhosis
• pancreatic cancer
• cholangitis
• cholestasis

Question 22

Gastrointestinal causes of confusion

Answer 22

• constipation

- hepatic encephalopathy

Question 23

Conditions to ask about for family history of GI disease

Answer 23

• gastrointestinal malignancy
• inflammatory bowel disease
• coeliac disease
• hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
• familial adenomatous polyposis
• haemochromatosis