Intro to GI Flashcards

1
Q

Layers of the GI Tract

A
  1. Innermost mucosa: provides a barrier against foreign particles, captures them in its sticky mucus and clears them out
  2. Submucosa: supports the mucosa, as well as joins the mucosa to the bulk of underlying smooth muscle
  3. Muscularis: propel food through the gut by contractile peristaltic waves initiated and regulated by various neural and hormonal events
  4. Serosa: carries blood vessels and nerves to the wall of the digestive tube
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2
Q

Hepatobiliary Tree/Biliary System

A

a system of vessels that directs these secretions from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas through a series of ducts into the duodenum

Hepatic duct for bile secretion to gallbladder, and joins with pancreatic duct which both empty into duodenum of small intestine

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3
Q

3 Arteries that support GI

A
  1. Celiac
  2. Hepatic
  3. Superior Mesenteric
  4. Inferior Mesenteric
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4
Q

What does the celiac artery supply?

A

Stomach, spleen, pancreas

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5
Q

What does the superior mesenteric artery supply?

A

Pancreas, small intestine, colon

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6
Q

What does the inferior mesenteric artery supply?

A

colon

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7
Q

How is blood returned to the heart from GI circulation?

A

All drained into portal vein, filtered in the liver, leave liver via hepativ veins to IVC

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8
Q

6 Functions of GI Tract

A
  1. Ingestion and propulsion of food
  2. Secretion of mucous, water, enzymes
  3. Digestion of food to meet body’s nutritional requirements
  4. Absorption of nutrients into the blood stream
  5. Motility
  6. Elimination of waste products
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9
Q

Stomach role

A

Storage and digestion of food

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10
Q

Gallbladder role

A

Stores bile for fat digestion

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11
Q

Liver role

A

Over 400 functions: Produces bile

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12
Q

Pancreas role

A

Production of insulin, secretes enzymes for CHO, protein digestion

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13
Q

Spleen role

A

Production RBC, storage antibodies

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14
Q

Small intestine role

A

Movement, digestion, absorption (nutrients, lytes, water)

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15
Q

Large intestine role

A

Movement, absorption (water), elimination

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16
Q

When would you not engage in light palpation during a GI assessment?

A

when you do not want to precipitate rupture: AAA (auscultate bruit, pulsatile bulge), appendicitis

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17
Q

Kehr’s Sign

A

Referred pain in left shoulder

Classic sign of spleen hemorrhage causing intraperitoneal bleeding

progressive onset – reassessment important

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18
Q

Cullen’s Sign

A

Periumbilical ecchymosis

Intraperitoneal bleeding

progressive onset – reassessment important

19
Q

Grey Turner’s Sign

A

Bruising to flank

Retroperitoneal bleeding

progressive onset – reassessment important

20
Q

Why is CBC important in GI diagnostics?

A

infection, active/chronic bleeding

21
Q

Why are coagulation studies important in GI diagnostics?

A

function of liver is to produce vitamin K; shows functional ability

22
Q

Why are electrolyte studies important in GI diagnostics?

A

disturbances common in GI issues; low calcium = absorption issue

23
Q

Why are BUN/creatinine studies important in GI diagnostics?

A

alterations with water absorption; if GI unable to retain (diarrhea) can end up with prerenal AKI

24
Q

Why are H Pylori Studies important in GI diagnostics?

A

leading cause of peptic ulcer disease

25
Q

What is an MRI/MRCP?

A

magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (gallbladder and pancreas specific)

26
Q

What is an endoscopy used for?

A

used to visualize interior of hollow organs
* EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
* ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography – to see and remove gallstone)
* Small bowel endoscopy
* Colonoscopy
* Sigmoidoscopy

27
Q

What is a barium swallow used for?

A

assess aspiration risk, any issue from mouth/esophagus (strictures)

28
Q

6 Priorities of GI System

A
  • Pain
  • Impaired nutrition
  • Hypovolemia
  • Constipation/diarrhea
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Infection
29
Q

Defense Mechanisms due to lack of sterility of GI system

A
  • Saliva
  • Gastric acid
  • Mucosa: Goblet cells and tight epithelial junctions
  • Peristalsis
  • Normal flora (aka friendly bacteria)
30
Q

Key to remember about sterility of GI

A

the peritoneum IS sterile

Because of this, any relationship the GI organs have with the peritoneum is dangerous = peritonitis = infection / sepsis

31
Q

Intestinal fistula defintion, result, and management

A

when small intestine communicates with any other organ

Decreased nutrient absorption, less digested food – doesn’t stay in track as long as it should

Management:
* Control fluid and electrolytes: decreased absorption
* Skin integrity: r/t nutrient deficiency and surgery
* Facilitate wound healing: r/t nutrient deficiency and surgery

32
Q

Abscess definition and management

A

enclosed pocket of infection

Management= antibiotics (broad)
* Cover anaerobes, gram +ve and
* gram –ve
* Prevent growth, rupture, merging with another organ (especially peritoneal space – sterile), sepsis

33
Q

Peptic Ulcer Disease Causes and Definition

A

Erosion of mucosa in the stomach or duodenum as the result of increased mucosal injurious substances (acid and toxins) and lack of gastroprotective factors (mucous, blood flow, epithelial cells, prostaglandins)

Causes: H. Pylori, NSAID Use, Ischemia

34
Q

Treatment of PUD

A
  1. Antibiotics
  2. PPI
  3. H2 Antagonist
  4. Bismuth Subsalicylate
  5. Sucralfate
  6. Antacids
  7. Avoid alcohol/tpbacco
  8. Sx if severe bleeds
35
Q

What Occults Blood Indicates

A

Not readily visible – needs a stool sample lab test

36
Q

What Hematemesis Indicates

A

Bright red or “coffee grounds” emesis. – upper GI bleed

37
Q

What melena indicates

A

Black tarry foul smelling. Upper GI bleed; black because it has travelled whole system

38
Q

What hematochezia indicates

A

Bright red or maroon “BRBPR – bright red blood per rectum ”. Lower GI bleed

39
Q

Management of Acute GI Bleeds

A

Remember your ABC’s!

Assess what is going on and severity of blood loss

Resuscitate – hemodynamic instability becomes priority!

The Patient May Need:
* Oxygen
* Crystalloid volume resuscitation
* Vasosconstricting drugs for substantial bleed (vasopressin)
* Blood Transfusions for substantial bleed
* Correcting of the underlying problem; surgical

40
Q

What is a small bowel obstruction?

A

Mechanical or non-mechanical occlusion of the lumen
* Paralytic Ileus: Loss of intestinal peristalsis (complication of surgery, opioids, electrolyte disturbances); non mechanical obstruction

Gas, fluid, food, etc. will accumulate proximal to the occlusion

Alterations in fluid balance, including third-spacing into the peritoneum

May lead to hypovolemia

41
Q

Cues of small bowel obstruction

A

Abdominal distention/rigidity, vomiting, fluid loss, tenderness/pain
* Elevated BUN, Hct, increased osmolality as fluid shifts into the peritoneum (dehydration)
* Electrolyte imbalances
* Xray, CT, ultrasound

42
Q

Taking action for small bowel obstruction/ileus

A

IV fluids and symptom therapy

NPO; no point in putting things in when it cannot be absorbed

Fluid and electrolyte replacement

NG tube (to decompress if backed up)– not routine*

Support nutrition parenterally

43
Q
A