Gastrointestinal

Question 1

4 stages of digestion

Answer 1

Ingestion

Digestion

Absorption

Elimination

Question 2

Define Peristalsis

Answer 2

A wave of contraction caused by contraction of longitudinal and circumferential involuntary (smooth) muscle in the wall of the digestive tract.

Question 3

Stages of Ingestion

Answer 3

Teeth pulverise food
Food is chewed (masticated)
Mixed with saliva to soften and partly digest food in the mouth
Mechanical manipulation of food with assistance of the tongue
Food is shaped into a bolus for swallowing
Food is passed to the stomach via the oesophagus.

Question 4

Stages of digestion

Answer 4

Mixed with Hydrochloric acid/enzymes in stomach (chyme)

Mixture is passed to small intestine, more enzymes, bile and pancreatic juice added

Question 5

Stages of absorption

Answer 5

Chyme continues through intestine, nutrients are absorbed by small intestine and water is absorbed by large intestine

Question 6

Stages of Defection

Answer 6

Remains are evacuated

Question 7

Define Enzymes

Answer 7

A chemical substance which causes or accelerates a chemical change in another substance without being changed itself.

Question 8

Main organs of the Alimentary Tract

Answer 8

Mouth
Pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach
Duodenum
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Rectum
Anus.

Question 9

Features of the Oesophagus

Answer 9

Soft muscular tube, 25cm long

Cardiac Sphincter stops regurgitation

Question 10

Features of the Stomach

Answer 10

Churns and mixes food and juice to Chyme
Absorbs water, Alcohol and specific drugs
Passage into duodenum via the Pyloric Sphincter

Question 11

Features of the Small Intestine

Answer 11

Breaks down carbs, protein and fats.
Converts them to sugars, amino acids and acids
Absorbed nutrients go to the liver via the hepatic portal vein

Question 12

Features of the Large Intestine

Answer 12

Food minus majority of nutrients enter the large intestine
Large amount of salts and water are absorbed.
waste is compacted before passing to the rectum

Question 13

Two sphincters in the rectum

Answer 13

Internal – (smooth Muscle) – Involuntary.

External – (skeletal muscle) – Voluntary

Question 14

Functions of the liver

Answer 14

Removes amino-acids and breaks down worn out cells producing urea with waste products.

Conversion of glucose to glycogen which is then stored

Conversion of glycogen to glucose when sugar levels are low

Breakdown of stored fat

Production of heat

Produces and secretes Bile (fat Break down) into Gall Bladder via Hepatic duct

Storage of vitamin and iron

Nutrient rich blood from Hepatic Portal vein.

Synthesis of vitamin A

Synthesis of plasma proteins

Inactivation of drugs and hormones

Metabolising alcohol.

Question 15

Functions of the Pancreas

Answer 15

Production of pancreatic juice

Production of insulin

Hormones and Glucagon.

Question 16

Description and function of the Peritoneum

Answer 16

A serous membrane lining the abdomen and covers abdominal organs

It prevents friction between organs

It stores fat, carries lymph tissue, blood vessels

Carries blood vessels and fights infection

If it becomes infected peritonitis occurs.

Question 17

Functions of the Spleen

Answer 17

The functions of the spleen;
Produce new white blood cells
Store red blood cells
Destroy old red blood cells.

Question 18

Common GI conditions

Answer 18

Mouth ulcers
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Rectal problems
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Threadworms.

Question 19

Indications for nasogastric intubation

Answer 19

Patients who require short-term enteral tube feeding (2-4 weeks) as a sole source of nutrition or for supplementary feeding

Can also be used to remove toxic substances from the stomach or to obtain a sample of the stomach contents

Question 20

Contra-indications of nasogastric intubation

Answer 20

Patients who require long-term enteral tube feeding in whom it may be more appropriate to use a gastrostomy tube

Patients with coagulation disorders should have blood clot-ting checked by the medical team and appropriate blood products administered if required prior to insertion

Severe midface trauma

Recent Nasal surgery.