General GI Clinical Flashcards
What are the 9 regions of the abdomen?
(Hypochondriac is more commonly known as Upper quadrants, and hypogastric is more commonly known as suprapubic)
What is the difference between visceral and somatic pain?
Somatic pain is more localised, and much more sore when you press on it. Visceral pain is more generalised and is constant
What is the differential for epigastric pain?
Cardio: MI, AAA rupture, dissected aorta
Oesophagus: GORD, oesophagitis, barrett’s
Stomach (ant.): gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastroenteritis
Gallbladder radiation: Acute cholecystitis Pancreatitis and duodenal ulcer (felt in back)
What is the differential for LUQ pain?
Lung: basal pneumonia, pleural effusion, PE
Cardiac: AAA Spleen: ruptured/infarct/injury
Kidney: pyelonenephritis
What is the differential for RUQ pain?
Lung: basal pneumonia, pleaural effusion, PE
Gallbladder: Biliary colic, cholecystitis
Liver: hepatitis, hepatic abscess, congestive hepatomegaly
Bowel: perforated duodenal ulcer
Kidney: pyelonephritis
Appendicitis (rare)
What is the differential for LLQ pain?
Appendicitis
Bowel: Meckel’s, Crohn’s, IBS, colitis, ruptured caecum. large bowel obstruction
Gyn: Ectopic pregnancy, salpingitis, ovarian/teste cyst/torsion, pelvic inflammatory disease
Hernia
What is the differential for RLQ pain?
Bowel: Diverticulitis, colitis, UC, large bowel obstruction
Gyn: Ectopic pregnancy, salpingitis, ovarian/teste cyst/torsion, pelvic inflammatory disease
Hernia
What is the differential for umbilical pain?
Cardio: AAA Early appendicitis
Gastric: gastroenteritis, gastric ulcer,
Bowel: Small bowel obstruction, bowel ischaemia, umbilical hernia, crohn’s
Pancreas: abscess, pancreatitis
What could shoulder pain with abdominal pain indicate?
Diaphragmatic irritation
If the patient is lying completely still, what does this indicate?
Inflammatory condition (worse on movement)
If the abdomen is moving with breathing what is it not?
General peritonitis
If the patient is moving around a lot and can’t stay still, what does this indicate?
Colic
Asking your patient to puff, suck in tummy or give various coughs can show the presence of what?
Peritonitis (as this is asking them to bring the area causing issues in contact with peritoneum)
Where is McBurney’s point?
Diagonal line from right anterior superior iliac spine to umbilicus, and go a third forward from the anterior superior iliac spin
True or False: Biliary colic is relieved on eating
False, it is worse on eating
True or False: diverticulitis is relieved on eating
True
What are the 3 life-threatening conditions that must always be excluded with abdominal pain?
1) Ischaemic bowel 2) Ruptured AAA 3) Acute pancreatitis
What is Murphy’s sign an indicator of?
Cholecystitis
How is Murphy’s sign tested?
It is performed by asking the patient to breathe out and then gently placing the hand below the costal margin on the right side at the mid-clavicular line (the approximate location of the gallbladder). The patient is then instructed to inspire (breathe in). If the patient stops breathing in (as the gallbladder is tender and, in moving downward, comes in contact with the examiner’s fingers) and winces with a ‘catch’ in breath, the test is considered positive.
What is McBurneys sign?
Tenderness over McBurney’s point is an indicator of appendicitis
What is the definition of an abdominal mass?
Any mass (swelling) which is: • Inside the abdominal cavity • In the wall Or • Bulging through the wall
Which regions does the stomach lie in?
Epigastrium and umbilical
Which regions does the liver lie in?
left hypochondrium, epigastrium and left lumbar
Which regions does the pancreas lie in?
Umbilical
For an abdominal exam, what is the appropriate exposure?
• From nipples to mid thigh in male • Below breasts to the pubic bone in females
During respiration, how will organs with a mesentery move?
Only obliquely, in ONE direction i.e., perpendicular to the line of FIXATION of the mesentery.
How would you test for a fluid thrill?
Put your hands in the middle then move it from one side to another and you will feel a thrill
What are the 4 barium contrast studies possible, and which organs would you be investigating for each?
- Barium Swallow for Oesophagus
- Barium Meal for Stomach & Duodenum (Shown)
- Barium Meal & Follow Through for Small Intestine
- Barium enema for the colon
What are some of the general postoperative complications that occur with any surgery?
- Bleeding during surgery (inevitable - Infection of incision site - Incisional hernia
What is reactionary haemorrhage?
Occurs immediately post-operatively - may occur if havent tied off a vessel properly etc (most common)
What is secondary haemorrhage?
Caused by infection (5-10days later)
How would you prevent post-operative DVT( & PE)?
- Compression stockings - Low dose subcutaneous heparin - Early mobilisation
Why can atelectasis/pneumonia occur following surgery?
Anaesthesia increases secretions in the lung and inhibits cilia. Post-op pain inhibits coughing and also stomach contents can be aspirated into lung during surgery.
What are the causes of paralytic ileus?
• Handling of bowel during surgery • Peritonitis • Retroperitoneal injury • Immobilisation • Hypokalaemia • Drugs
What can cause post-op adhesions to form?
Inflammatory responses or ischaemia
How can you prevent adhesions forming?
• No powder on gloves • Avoidance of infection • Laparoscopic surgery • Sodium hyaluronidate – substance that slightly reduces risk of adhesions
What are the causes of post-op confusion?
• Hypoxia • Oversedation • Sepsis • Electrolyte imbalance (dehydrated?) • Stroke • Hyper or hypoglycaemia • Alcohol or tranquilliser withdrawal
What is the ERAS and what are the main objectives?
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery - multimodal programme to minimise post-op complications. Objectives are to promote pain control, GI function and mobility
Which endoscope would you use to look at the oesophagus/stomach or duodenum?
Oesophago-gastro duodenoscopy or a gastroscopy for stomach alone