GI Disorders 2 Flashcards
Screening questions relevant to GI system
Difficulty or pain w/ swallowing Heartburn or indigestion Specific food intolerances Change in appetite Bowel dysfunction
What can qualify as bowel dysfunction?
Constipation/diarrhea Color Shape Frequency Incontinence
What may the patient describe dysphagia as?
Feeling food “catching” or “sticking”
What is achalasia?
When the circular and longitudinal muscle fibers or the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax
What is odynophagia?
Pain during swallowing
What can cause dysphagia?
Achalasia
Esophagitis
GERD
Neoplasm
What can cause odynophagia?
Esophagitis
Esophageal spasm
Where does GI bleeding refer to?
Mid T/S w/ radiation to the right upper quadrant
Associated signs w/ GI bleeding
Coffee ground emesis
Bloody diarrhea
Bright red blood
Melena
What can cause coffee ground emesis?
Perforated peptic or duodenal ulcer
What can cause bloody diarrhea
Ulcerative colitis
What can cause bright red blood in the GI?
Indicative of pathology near the rectum or anus
Colorectal Cancer
What is melena?
Black tarry (sticky) stools with a noxious odor
What should you keep in mind when it comes to melena
NSAID use
Melena is related to…
upper GI disorders
