GI Alterations Flashcards
What is Anorexia?
A lack of a desire to eat despite physiologic stimuli that would normally produce hunger.
What lab value will be low with Anorexia?
Albumin
What is vomiting?
The forceful emptying of the stomach and intestinal contents through the mouth.
What is Nausea?
The most common subjective experience that is associated with a number of conditions.
What are the two most common Signs and Symptoms of nausea?
- Hyper-salivation
2. Tachycardia
What is Retching?
A type of vomiting, Dry Heaving.
What is projective vomiting?
Spontaneous vomiting that does not follow nausea or retching caused by neurologic issues.
What two things are the most common causes of projective vomiting?
- Brain stem lesions
2. Gi Obstruction
What is the most common symptom of GI disorders?
Abdominal pain
What is constipation?
Infrequent or difficult defecation
What are the reasons for constipation?
- Neurogenic disorders
- Function or Mechanical conditions
- Low-residue diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive use of antacids
- Change in bowel habits
What is Hematemesis?
Bloody vomitus that appears bright red or coffee ground.
What is Melena?
Black, sticky, tarry, foul-smelling stool caused by digestion of blood in the GI tract.
What is Hematochezia?
Fresh, bright red blood from the rectum.
What is Occult Bleeding?
Trace amounts of blood in normal-appearing stools or gastric secretions.
How do we detect Occult Bleeding?
Guaiac Test
What is Dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing.
Where does an Upper GI Bleed occur?
- Above the stomach
- Esophagus
- Duodenum
What color is the blood in an Upper GI Bleed?
Bright Red
Where do Lower GI Bleeds occur?
- Below the ligament of Treitz
- Bleeding from the Jejunum
- Bleeding from the Ileum
- Bleeding from the Colon
- Bleeding from the Rectum
What does most of the Lower GI Blood look like?
Coffee grounds or dark burgundy
What are the Signs and Symptoms of GI Bleeds?
- Abdominal Pain
- Distention
- Cramping
- Hyperactive bowel sounds
- Increased pulse
- Tachypnea
- Hypotension
- Pallor
- Increased skin turgor
- Decreased urine output
- Hypovolemia
What is Achalasia?
- Denervation of smooth muscle in the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
- Loss of esophageal peristalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax.
What does GER stand for?
Gastro Esophageal Reflux
What is GER?
Reflux of chyme from the stomach to the esophagus.
What are the risk factors for GERD?
Conditions that increase abdominal pressure.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of GERD?
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation of Chyme
- Upper Abdominal pain within 1 hr of eating
What is a Hiatal Hernia?
A protrusion of the upper part of the stomach through the diaphragm into the thorax.