GI System Flashcards
The GI tract extends from the ____ to the ____.
Mouth to the anus
What makes up the upper GI tract? What is the function of the upper GI tract?
Upper GI tract = mouth, esophagus, stomach
Function = ingestion and intial food digestion
What makes up the middle GI tract? What is the function of the middle GI tract?
Middle GI tract = small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum)
Function = major digestive and absorptive processes occur here
What makes up the lower GI tract? What is the function of the lower GI tract?
Lower GI tract = large intestine (cecum, colon, ileum)
Function = absorption of water and electrolytes, storage and elimination of waste products
How are fluid and food propelled through the GI system?
Peristaltic movements of smooth muscle
_____ reflexes control the secretions and motility of the GI tract.
Vagovagal reflexes
List 5 complications associated with prolonged diarrhea.
Dehydration Electrolyte imbalance Dizziness Thirst Weight loss
What is obstipation?
Intractable constipation with resulting fecal impaction or inability to pass gas and the retention of hard, dry stools in the rectum and colon.
What is anorexia?
Loss of appetite with an inability to eat
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
What is achalasia?
A condition in which the lower esophagus sphincter fails to relax and food is trapped in the esophagus
Where does visceral pain from the esophagus refer?
Midback
Midthoracic spine pain can appear as ______ pain.
Esophageal pain
Where does visceral pain from the liver, diaphragm, or pericardium refer?
Shoulders
Where does visceral pain from the gallbladder, stomach, pancreas or small intestine refer?
Midback and scapular regions
Where does visceral pain from the colon, appendix or pelvic viscera refer?
Pelvis, low back, and sacrum
What symptoms indicate the presence of GI bleeding?
Blood in vomit or feces
What is hepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver
List 5 possible causes of hepatitis.
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Chemical agents (alcohol, drugs, toxins)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Biliary cirrhosis
- Wilson’s disease
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
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.
List 4 ways in which Hep A can be prevented.
- Good personal hygiene
- Hand washing
- Sanitation
- Immunization (vaccines)
How are hepatitis B and C transmitted?
Transmission from blood, body fluid, or body tissues, through blood transfusion, oral or sexual contact with an infected person or contaminated needles.
List 5 ways in which Hep B can be prevented.
- Education
- Use of disposable needles
- Screening of blood donors
- Precautions for health care workers
- Vaccinations
Hepatitis D is dependent upon having _____. What is the prognosis for this condition?
Dependent upon having HEP B
Prognosis is poor and patients often present with severe liver failure
List 10 signs and symptoms of the initial (preicteric) phase of Hepatitis.
- Low grade fever
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Headache
- Abdominal tenderness
- Myalgia/arthralgia
List 4 signs and symptoms of the jaundice (icteric) phase of Hepatitis.
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Enlarged liver with tenderness
- Amber-colored or dark urine
Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of ___ and common reason for ____.
Leading cause of LIVER CANCER
Common reason for LIVER TRASPLANTATION
What is cirrhosis?
Irreversible chronic injury of the hepatic parenchyma as a result of chronic hepatitis
List 8 signs and symptoms of cirrhosis.
- Jaundice
- Peripheral edema
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Palmar erythema
- Angiomas
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity)
A late complication of cirrhosis is _____.
Liver encephalopathy