Gastrointestinal Flashcards
AAA: aortic abdominal aneurysm
Enlargement of the aorta, concerning for possible rupture
Ascites
Excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (peritoneal cavity)
Clostridium difficile
Bacteria that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life threatening inflammation of the colon. Commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long term care facilities and typically occurs after the use of antibiotics
Crohn’s Disease
An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and even malnutrition
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the intestinal wall
Diverticulosis
Condition that develops when pouches (diverticula) for in the wall of the intestines
Gastritis
An inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lining of the stomach
Gastroenteritis
Known as stomach flu, inflammation of the GI tract involving the stomach and small intestine resulting in acute vomiting and diarrhea
Gastroparesis
Condition affecting the ability of the stomach to empty its contents, also known as delayed gastric emptying
Hepatitis C
An infectious disease affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus
H. Pylori
The bacteria responsible for most ulcers and many cases of stomach inflammation
Hydronephrosis
Swelling of a kidney due to a backup of urine
Ulcerative colitis
A form on inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcer in the lining of the rectum and colon
Varices
Large, swollen veins that develop across the stomach and esophagus that cause internal bleeding
Anal fissure
Painful tear of the anus, usually with a small amount of bright red rectal bleeding
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe RUQ abdominal pain
Cholelithiasis
Gallstones
Coffee- ground emesis
Vomit that resembles coffee grounds, sign of upper gastrointestinal-intestinal bleeding
Emesis
Vomiting
Enema
Procedure of introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus
Gatroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A condition where the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus
GI Cocktail
A generic term for a mix of liquid antacid, viscous lidocaine, and an anticholinergic primarily used to treat indigestion
G-tube
Gastric feeding tube or a gastronomy tube inserted through a small incision in the abdomen into the stomach and is used for long-term nutrition
Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood
Hematochezia
Blood in stool
Hemorrhoids
Painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus
Hernia
A sac formed by the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) which comes through a hole or weak area in the fascia, the strong layer of the abdominal wall that surrounds the muscle.
Types: inguinal, ventral, umbilical, hiatal
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Disorder of the lower intestinal tract, causing abdominal pain and abnormal bowel movements
J- tube
Surgically implanted tube in the upper section of the small intestine called the jejunum, which is just below the stomach
Melena
Black/ tarry stool associated with GI bleed
NG tube : nasogastric feeding tube
Tube passed through the nares (nostrils) down the esophagus and into the stomach
PEG tube : percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube
A tube passed into a patients stomach through the abdominal wall
Post- tussive emesis
Vomiting after coughing
SBO: small bowel obstruction
Usually from adhesions because of a prior abdominal surgery
Peristalsis
The process that moves the contents of the stomach and intestines downward
CVA- Costo- Vertebral Angle tenderness
Pain elicited by percussion of the area of the back overlying the kidney (the costovertebral angle- angle made by the vertebral column and the costal margin)
Distention
Swollen abdomen
Various causes: obese abd, hepatomegaly, ascites, enlarged gallbladder
Guarding
The tending of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen
Guaiac test
Method to detect the presence of blood in the stool that is not visibly apparent
Hemorrhoids
Secretes as internal/ external, bleeding, thrombosed, inflamed, painful
Hepatomegaly
Enlarged liver
Hepatosplenomegaly
Enlargement of both the liver and the spleen
Murphy’s sign
Pain on inspiration when the examiners fingers are placed on the RUQ at the location of the gallbladder, a finding associated with acute cholecyctitis
Ruling out appendicitis
McBurney’s Point
Rovsing’s sign or rebound
Psoas sign
Obturator sign
McBurney’s point
A sight of extreme sensitivity in RLQ in acute appendicitis, situated in the normal area of the appendix midway between the umbilicus and the anterior iliac in the RLQ of the abdomen
Rovsing’s Sign
An indication of acute appendicitis where pressure on the LLQ of the abdomen causes pain in the RLQ
Psoas Sign
An indication of appendicitis where passive extension of the thigh of a patient lying on their side with knees extended causes abdominal pain
Obturator Sign
Indication of appendicitis where the internal rotation of the right leg with the leg flexed to 90 degrees at the hip and knee causes abdominal discomfort
Pulsatile Mass
Exam finding concerning for an Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm
Rebound tenderness
Pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure to the abdomen
Splenomegaly
Enlarged spleen, found in the LUQ
Tympanic
Drum-like sounds are heard when abdomen is struck
Urinalysis
Shows sign of UTI or if there is blood in the urine the patient could have kidney stones
Appendectomy
Surgical removal of the appendix
Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
Colostomy
Surgical procedure that brings one end of the LI out through the abdominal wall
Ileostomy
A surgical opening constructed by bringing the end or loop of SI out onto the surface of the skin
Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external pouching system stuck to the skin
Manual disimpaction
Digital means of breaking up and removing a decal impaction, or mass of hardened, clay-like, stool lodged in the rectum
Ostomy
Surgically created opening in the body for discharge of body wastes
Paracentesis
Procedure involving needle drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen
Antacids (neutralizes stomach acid)
Maalox
Rolaids
Tums
GI Cocktail
Antiemetic/ Antivertigo (effective against nausea and vomiting)
Antivert (Meclizine) Compazine Phenergan Reglan (Metoclopromide) Zofran
H-2 Receptor Blockers (Anti Reflux: reduce acid production)
Pepcid
Tagamet
Zantac
Laxative
Benefiber Metamucil Milk of magnesia Magnesium Citrate MiraLax Ex-Lax Golytely (used to prep for colonoscopy)
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI): Anti Reflux (blocks acid production in the stomach)
Nexium
Prevacid
Prilosec
Protonix
Stool softeners
Colace
Docusate
Pain medications
Dilaudid
Morphine
Fentanyl