Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What is dysphagia?
The sensation of food catching or sticking in the esophagus
What are the causes of dysphagia?
Motor –> loss of coordinated local muscle activity
Mechanical –> mechanical obstructive disorder
What are s/s of dysphagia originating from a motor cause?
Gradual onset with slow progression
Equal difficulty to swallow solids and liquids
Swallowing is worse with cold substances
Bolus passage is facilitated by swallowing, valsalva, or throwing the head and shoulders backward
What are s/s of dysphagia originating from a mechanical cause?
Fast onset with fast progression
Swallowing is more difficult with solids
No change in swallowing difficulty when having different temperatures of food
Bolus can possibly regurgitated
What is odynophagia?
Pain with swallowing
What are the causes of odynophagia?
Esophagitis (GERD or coronary ischemia)
Esophageal spasm
What position relieves esophagitis pain?
sitting upright
What is dyspepsia?
Indigestion/heartburn
What are the causes of dyspepsia?
Organic, functional, medication
What are the s/s of dyspepsia?
Retrosternal pain
Epigastric pain
What is the treatment for dyspepsia?
Antacids
What is the physical cause of GERD?
ineffective lower esophageal sphincter
GERD commonly affects those who are >____ y/o.
> 40 y/o
What are s/s of GERD?
Heartburn, Belching, Dysphagia
What are treatments for GERD?
Medication (zantac, prolisec, prevacid, nexium)
GERD has a relationship with ____.
asthma
What causes a peptic ulcer?
Digestive acids irritate/erode the lining of the digestive tract
What pain pattern is caused by a peptic ulcer? Where can it manifest and possibly radiate?
a. Coursing in waves and lasts for several minutes
b. Epigastric pain (heartburn); back pain @ t8-t10 region
c. radiates to inferior costal margins in the back
What are causes of peptic ulcers?
H-pylori
NSAID use
What are the risk factors for NSAID induced gastropathy?
> 65 y/o with the use of medications (prozac, zoloft, celexia, paxil)
Gastric ulcers are associated with increased ____ use especially in the elderly, causing pain with eating.
NSAID use
(true/false) Gastric ulcers are always benign
FALSE (they can be malignant)
What is the appearance of stool in a patient with an esophageal ulcer?
Black/tar/coffee-ground
What is duodenal ulcers associated with?
H-pylori
What are s/s of duodenal ulcers?
Dull/gnawing/burning pain… empty stomach
Where is pain found if caused by a duodenal ulcer?
epigastric
midthoracic (T6-T10)
Supraclavicular area
Pain 30-90 minutes after eating food is caused by a _____ origin.
gastric
Pain 2-4 hours after eating food is caused by a _____ origin.
duodenal
(true/false) Foods can produce or alleviate symptoms
true
Any substance that is a ____ can decrease symptoms of an ulcer/GERD
base (ex: milk)
If a person has midthoracic pain/R scapular pain after indigestion of fatty foods, it can be an indication of a possible ____ disorder.
gallbladder disorder
What is black/tar stool an indication for?
Large upper GI bleed
Bright/bloody red colored stool is indicative of what?
lower GI bleed
Reddish/non-bloody stool is caused by what?
foods (ex: beets)
Light grey/pale stool is associated with what?
Obstructive jaundice and/or an increase in fat contact
Stool that floats is indicative of what?
cystic fibrosis/increased fat content
What are possible s/s of lower GI bleeds?
Red bloody stool
difficulty initiating bowel movements
lightheadedness
Fatigue
What are s/s of constipation and fecal impaction?
Abdominal fullness
bloating
fever
agitation
mental status change
What should you do when fecal impaction is suspected?
call MD
What are possible causes of diarrhea?
Infectious agents
Laxative abuse
Colon cancer
Irritable bowel syndrome
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Diabetic enteropathy
What are the manifestations of dehydration?
Thirst and dry mouth
Postural hypotension
Rapid breathing
Rapid pulse (> 100 bpm)
Confusion irritability, lethargy
HA