Lower GI

Question 1

what organs make up the lower GI

Answer 1

• small intestine: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

- large intestine: ascending, transverse and descending colon

Question 2

what is the mixture in the small intestine composed of?

Answer 2

1. water
2. unabsorbed food
3. cellulose
4. electrolytes like Na and K

Question 3

what is the mixture in the large intestine composed of?

Answer 3

1. absorbs 90% water and electrolytes

2. e. coli

Question 4

what does e. coli do in the large intestine?

Answer 4

synthesize

1. Vit B12
2. Vit B1
3. Vit B2
4. Vit K

Question 5

what is inflammatory bowel disease? with the 2 types

Answer 5

chronic inflammation of the lower GI tract that have waves of remission and exacerbation, maybe autoimmune

1. Crohn’s disease
2. ulcerative colitis

Question 6

what is crohn’s disease

Answer 6

• slow developing progressive condition in the intestines
• patchy areas of inflammation of the walls and ulcers (lesions) that are separated by thickened elevations (nodules), giving it a cobblestone appearance
  = walls become too thick = inability to absorb nutrients, increases intestinal motility but decreases digestion and absorption

Question 7

complications of crohn’s disease (4)

Answer 7

1. malnutrition
2. anemia
3. fistula formation
4. adhesions

Question 8

clinical manifestations (s/s) of crohn’s disease (8)

Answer 8

1. RLQ abd cramping, potentially during defecating
2. watery diarrhea (steatorrhea)
3. constipation (intestinal lumen narrows)
4. palpable abd mass
5. melena (tarry, black bloody stool)
6. anorexia
7. weight loss
8. s/s of inflammation

Question 9

what is ulcerative colitis?

Answer 9

• progressive condition of the rectum and colons mucosa
• develops between 10-30 yo
• necrosis of the epithelial tissue = abscess formation, epithelial loss, or surface erosion

Question 10

complications of ulcerative colitis? (9)

Answer 10

1. malnutrition
2. anemia
3. hemorrhage
4. perforation
5. strictures
6. fistulas
7. toxic megacolon - rapid dilation
8. colorectal carcinoma
9. liver disease secondary to inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts
10. fluid/electrolyte imbalance

Question 11

clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis? (6)

Answer 11

1. diarrhea - watery and bloody
2. tenesmus - rectal spasms
3. proctitis - rectal inflammation
4. N/V/Cramps
5. pseudo-poylp - mass of scar tissue from granuloma formation from ulcers
6. s/s of inflammation

Question 12

diagnostic methods to diagnose ulcerative colitis? (5)

Answer 12

1. abdominal x-ray
2. CT/MRI of abdomen
3. sigmoidoscopy
4. colonoscopy
5. biopsy

Question 13

treatment of ulcerative colitis? (2)

Answer 13

1. treat s/s

2. avoid triggers