GIT assessment

Question 1

What do we focus on when taking a GIT history?

Answer 1

Change in appetite
Weight gain/loss
Dysphagia
Nausea and vomiting
Bowel changes
Abdominal pain

Question 2

What could black tarry stool indicate?

Answer 2

Upper GI bleed or ingestion of iron tablets

Question 3

What could bright red blood in stool indicate?

Answer 3

Lower GI bleed
Haemorrhoids

Question 4

What could clay coloured stool indicate?

Answer 4

Potential concern with gallbladder, liver or pancreas

Question 5

What do we ask about defecating?

Answer 5

Colour
Odour
Consistency
Mucous
Pain

Question 6

When inspecting vomit what do we ask?

Answer 6

Volume
Colour
Odour
Digested/undigested food
Frequency
Is blood present?

Question 7

What do we do in a GIT assessment of the oral cavity

Answer 7

Examine mouth and throat
Look at lips, tongue and mucous membranes
Observe teeth
Examine dentures
Observe the gums

Question 8

When examining what should be exposed on a patient?

Answer 8

The patient should be exposed from the xiphoid process to the symphysis process

Question 9

When doing an abdominal assessment how should we position the patient?

Answer 9

In supine position with knees slightly flexed(this relaxes the abdomen)

Question 10

In what order does the abdominal exam go?

Answer 10

Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation

Question 11

Hypoactive bowel sounds?
Hyperactive bowel sounds?
Normal bowel sounds?

Answer 11

Hypoactive=4/min or less
Hyperactive=30/min or more
Normal=5-30/min

Question 12

Where are bowel sounds best heard?

Answer 12

Below and to the right of the umbilicus