GI System Flashcards

1
Q

The GI tract extends from the ____ to the ____.

A

Mouth to the anus

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2
Q

What makes up the upper GI tract? What is the function of the upper GI tract?

A

Upper GI tract = mouth, esophagus, stomach

Function = ingestion and intial food digestion

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3
Q

What makes up the middle GI tract? What is the function of the middle GI tract?

A

Middle GI tract = small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum)

Function = major digestive and absorptive processes occur here

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4
Q

What makes up the lower GI tract? What is the function of the lower GI tract?

A

Lower GI tract = large intestine (cecum, colon, ileum)

Function = absorption of water and electrolytes, storage and elimination of waste products

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5
Q

How are fluid and food propelled through the GI system?

A

Peristaltic movements of smooth muscle

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6
Q

_____ reflexes control the secretions and motility of the GI tract.

A

Vagovagal reflexes

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7
Q

List 5 complications associated with prolonged diarrhea.

A
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalance
Dizziness
Thirst 
Weight loss
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8
Q

What is obstipation?

A

Intractable constipation with resulting fecal impaction or inability to pass gas and the retention of hard, dry stools in the rectum and colon.

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9
Q

What is anorexia?

A

Loss of appetite with an inability to eat

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10
Q

What is dysphagia?

A

Difficulty swallowing

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11
Q

What is achalasia?

A

A condition in which the lower esophagus sphincter fails to relax and food is trapped in the esophagus

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12
Q

Where does visceral pain from the esophagus refer?

A

Midback

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13
Q

Midthoracic spine pain can appear as ______ pain.

A

Esophageal pain

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14
Q

Where does visceral pain from the liver, diaphragm, or pericardium refer?

A

Shoulders

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15
Q

Where does visceral pain from the gallbladder, stomach, pancreas or small intestine refer?

A

Midback and scapular regions

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16
Q

Where does visceral pain from the colon, appendix or pelvic viscera refer?

A

Pelvis, low back, and sacrum

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17
Q

What symptoms indicate the presence of GI bleeding?

A

Blood in vomit or feces

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18
Q

What is hepatitis?

A

Inflammation of the liver

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19
Q

List 5 possible causes of hepatitis.

A
  1. Bacterial or viral infection
  2. Chemical agents (alcohol, drugs, toxins)
  3. Autoimmune hepatitis
  4. Biliary cirrhosis
  5. Wilson’s disease
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20
Q

How is hepatitis A transmitted?

A

Transmission is primarily through fecal-oral route; contracted through contaminated food or water, or person to person contact (infected food handlers)

Acute illness (not chronic); ranging from mild to severe.

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21
Q

List 4 ways in which Hep A can be prevented.

A
  1. Good personal hygiene
  2. Hand washing
  3. Sanitation
  4. Immunization (vaccines)
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22
Q

How are hepatitis B and C transmitted?

A

Transmission from blood, body fluid, or body tissues, through blood transfusion, oral or sexual contact with an infected person or contaminated needles.

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23
Q

List 5 ways in which Hep B can be prevented.

A
  1. Education
  2. Use of disposable needles
  3. Screening of blood donors
  4. Precautions for health care workers
  5. Vaccinations
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24
Q

Hepatitis D is dependent upon having _____. What is the prognosis for this condition?

A

Dependent upon having HEP B

Prognosis is poor and patients often present with severe liver failure

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25
Q

List 10 signs and symptoms of the initial (preicteric) phase of Hepatitis.

A
  1. Low grade fever
  2. Anorexia
  3. Nausea
  4. Vomiting
  5. Diarrhea
  6. Fatigue
  7. Malaise
  8. Headache
  9. Abdominal tenderness
  10. Myalgia/arthralgia
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26
Q

List 4 signs and symptoms of the jaundice (icteric) phase of Hepatitis.

A
  1. Fever
  2. Jaundice
  3. Enlarged liver with tenderness
  4. Amber-colored or dark urine
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27
Q

Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of ___ and common reason for ____.

A

Leading cause of LIVER CANCER

Common reason for LIVER TRASPLANTATION

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28
Q

What is cirrhosis?

A

Irreversible chronic injury of the hepatic parenchyma as a result of chronic hepatitis

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29
Q

List 8 signs and symptoms of cirrhosis.

A
  1. Jaundice
  2. Peripheral edema
  3. Dupuytren’s contracture
  4. Palmar erythema
  5. Angiomas
  6. Hepatomegaly
  7. Splenomegaly
  8. Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity)
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30
Q

A late complication of cirrhosis is _____.

A

Liver encephalopathy

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31
Q

What is asterixis (‘liver flap’)? Cause?

A

Myoclonus of the hand with the wrist in extension

A result of the liver unable to convert ammonia to urea.

32
Q

Cholelithiasis or _____ are present in the gallbladder and are often asymptomatic.

A

Gallstones

33
Q

Cholelithiasis is characterized by pain in the ____ with radiation to the _____. Can worse after ______.

A

Right upper quadrant with radiation to the right scapula

Can worsen with a fatty meal

34
Q

What is cholecystitis?

A

A partial or complete obstruction of the common bile duct resulting in inflammation of the gallbladder.

35
Q

List 5 signs and symptoms of cholecystitis.

A
  1. Severe RUQ pain radiating to right scapula
  2. Nausea
  3. Vomiting
  4. Low grade fever
  5. Positive Murphy’s sign
36
Q

What is acute pancreatitis?

A

Characterized by acute ‘band like’ pain, which can radiate to the back and is worse in supine position

37
Q

A patient with acute pancreatitis should be ____.

A

NPO

38
Q

List 4 signs and symptoms associated with acute pancreatitis.

A

Hypotension
Tachycardia
Nausea
Vomiting

39
Q

Chronic pancreatitis causes ____ and ____ pain.

A

Epigastric and LUQ pain

40
Q

List 7 signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis.

A
  1. Anorexia
  2. Nausea
  3. Vomiting
  4. Constipation
  5. Flatulence
  6. Weight loss
  7. Steatorrhea
41
Q

What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

A

Reflux or backward movement of gastric content of the stomach into the esophagus, producing heart burn

42
Q

What is the cause of GERD?

A

Results from failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to regulate flow of food from the esophagus into the stomach and increased gastric pressure

43
Q

______ is contraindicated for patients with GERD.

A

Valsalva maneuver

44
Q

What is a hiatal hernia?

A

Protrusion of the stomach upward through the diaphragm (rolling hiatal hernia) or displacement of both the stomach and gastroesophageal junction upward into the thorax (sliding hiatal hernia)

45
Q

What is gastritis?

A

Inflammation of the stomach mucosa

46
Q

List 6 possible causes of gastritis.

A
  1. Severe burns
  2. Aspirin or NSAIDs
  3. Corticosteroids
  4. Food allergies
  5. Bacterial infection
  6. Peptic ulcers
47
Q

What is peptic ulcer disease?

A

Ulcerative lesions that occur in the upper GI tract in areas exposed to acid-pepsin secretions

48
Q

What is the main symptom associated with peptic ulcer disease? What aggravates/alleviates symptoms?

A

Epigastric pain which is described as gnawing, burning or cramp-like

Pain is aggravated by change in position and absence of food in the stomach

Pain is relieved by food or antacids

49
Q

______ is a complication of peptic ulcers.

A

Hemorrhage

50
Q

What is malabsorption syndrome?

A

A complex of disorders characterized by problems in intestinal absorption of nutrients (fat, carbs, protein, vitamins, calcium and iron)

51
Q

List 6 possible causes of malabsorption syndrome.

A
  1. Gastric or small bowel resection
  2. Cystic fibrosis
  3. Celiac disease
  4. Crohn’s disease
  5. Chronic pancreatitis
  6. Pernicious anemia
52
Q

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to ______ and _____.

A

Crohn’s disease

Ulcerative colitis

53
Q

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

A

Inflammation of the bowel and is characterized by remissions and exacerbations

54
Q

List 4 symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

A
  1. Abdominal pain
  2. Frequent attacks of diarrhea
  3. Fecal urgency
  4. Weight loss
55
Q

What is Crohn’s disease?

A

Involves a granulomatous type of inflammation that can occur anywhere in the GI tract. Areas of adjacent normal tissue called skip lesions are present.

56
Q

What is ulcerative colitis?

A

Ulcerative and exudative inflammation of the large intestine and rectum.

Characterized by varying bloody amounts of diarrhea, mucus and pus. Skip lesions are absent.

57
Q

What is irritable bowel syndrome? What is it associated with?

A

Characterized by abnormally increased motility of the small and large intestines

Associated with emotional stress and certain foods (high fat content or roughage, lactose intolerance)

58
Q

List 7 symptoms associated with IBS.

A
  1. Persistent or recurrent abdominal pain relieved by defecation
  2. Constipation or diarrhea
  3. Bloating
  4. Abdominal cramps
  5. Flatulence
  6. Nausea
  7. Anorexia
59
Q

What is diverticular disease?

A

Characterized by pouch like herniations (diverticula) of the mucosal layer of the colon through the muscularis layer.

60
Q

What is the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis?

A

Diverticulosis = pouch like herniations of the colon, especially the sigmoid colon (minimal sxs but can include rectal bleeding)

Diverticulitis = inflammation of one or more diverticula. Fecal matter penetrates diverticula and causes inflammation and abscess

61
Q

List 5 signs and symptoms associated with diverticulitis.

A
  1. Pain and cramping in the lower left quadrant
  2. Nausea
  3. Vomiting
  4. Slight fever
  5. Elevated WBCs
62
Q

What is appendicitis?

A

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix

As the condition progresses, the appendix becomes swollen, gangrenous and perforated

63
Q

Perforation of the appendix can be life threatening and lead to _____.

A

Peritonitis

64
Q

List 6 signs and symptoms of appendicitis.

A
  1. Rebound tenderness (Blumberg’s sign)
  2. Point tenderness at McBurney’s point
  3. Positive Rovsing’s sign
  4. Positive Psoas sign
  5. Positive Obturator sign
  6. Positive Markel’s sign
65
Q

Where is McBurney’s point?

A

Site of the appendix located 1.5-2 inches above the ASIS in the RLQ

66
Q

What is a positive Rovsing’s sign?

A

Elicits pain in the RLQ with pressure exerted on the LLQ

67
Q

What is a positive Psoas sign?

A

Pain in the RLQ occurs with hip extension from inflammation from the peritoneum overlying the psoas muscle

68
Q

What is a positive Obturator sign?

A

RLQ pain with IR and flexion to 90 degrees of the right hip with 90 degrees of knee flexion.

Indicative of inflammation of the sheath of the obturator nerve

69
Q

What is a positive Markle’s sign?

A

Pain in the RLQ when a patient drops from standing on toes to the heels with a jarring landing

70
Q

_______ is required with positive signs of appendicitis.

A

Immediate medical attention

71
Q

Elevation in ______ are indicative of perforation; _____ is indicated.

A

WBCs (> 20,000/mm^3)

Surgery is indicated

72
Q

What is peritonitis?

A

Inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity

73
Q

List 7 signs and symptoms of peritonitis.

A
  1. Abdominal distension
  2. Severe abdominal pain
  3. Rigidity from reflex guarding
  4. Rebound tenderness
  5. Decreased or absent bowel sounds
  6. Nausea and vomiting
  7. Tachycardia
74
Q

What is a rectal fissure?

A

A tear or ulceration of the lining of the anal canal

75
Q

What are hemorrhoids (piles)?

A

Varicosities in the lower rectum or anus caused by congestion of the veins in the hemorrhoidal plexus

76
Q

List 3 symptoms associated with hemorrhoids.

A

Local irritation
Pain
Rectal itching