specific questions to ask in a GI history

Question 1

review of systems questions for GI

Answer 1

change in appetite and/or weight
N & V
problems swallowing
indigestion/acid reflux/hiatus hernia
peptic ulcer disease
gall stones
pancreatitis
jaundice
hepatitis
change in bowel habit
constipation
diarrhoea
blood/mucus/slime pre rectum
incontinence
pain
abdo distension

Question 2

specific questions for vomiting

Answer 2

how frequently
what time of day does it occur
taste of it
colour
smell
quantitiy
any blood in it

Question 3

specific questions for dysphagia

Answer 3

is it continuous or intermittent
how long does it last for
where does the food stick
is it liquids, solids or both
does it occur between meals
do you suffer from acid reflux or dyspepsia
any nocturnal coughing or dyspnoea
smoking, alcohol, obesity, lack of fruit/veg in diet

Question 4

specific questions to ask for jaundice

Answer 4

colour of urine and stools
history of gallstones
pain
fever or rigors?
itching
alcohol/drugs/foreign travel/blood transfusions/tatooing abroad
unprotected sex

Question 5

altered bowel habit specific questions

Answer 5

how has it altered (i.e. what is your norm and what is it now) - constipations/diarrhoea/both
frequency of stools
any abdo discomfort/urgency
incontinence
how does stool loos - consistency (formed or not), does it float, any blood/pus/mucus
any vomiting
foreign travel
any over the counter medications

Question 6

specific PMHx questions for GI history

Answer 6

prev. GI problems
prev/ GI/abdo surgery
gynae problems
history of jaundice, anaemia or diabetes

Question 7

specific drug history questions for GI history

Answer 7

iron tablets, opiates, NSAIDs, antibiotics, anticoagulants, SSRI’s

Question 8

specific family history questions for GI history

Answer 8

prev familial carcinomas
crohn’s / UC
Gilbert’s syndrome