Vomiting

Question 1

Neurological

Answer 1

stimulation of the medulla oblongata (within the brain stem) which ‘senses’ noxious chemical agents (e.g.: poisons, chemotherapy agents, digoxin) causing nausea and the emesis reflex (vomiting)
Diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) such as infections or tumours which stimulate structures within the CNS to elicit nausea and vomiting

Question 2

Peripheral

Answer 2

gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Brain centres where nausea is perceived stimulate vomiting.
Tumours, infections or drugs in the periphery may cause local dysfunction in a variety of organ systems that is sensed as nausea that, when severe causes vomiting

Question 3

Toxins

Answer 3

Medications/drugs (e.g. cytoxics, opiods, NSAIDs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, iron and many others)
Poisoning
Substance Abuse

Question 4

Metabolic Conditions

Answer 4

Hypercalcaemia
Hyponatremia
Ketoacidosis

Question 5

Organ Failure/disorders of viscera

Answer 5

Liver
Renal
Obstruction (e.g. gastric outlet, bowel, biliary, pancreatic)
Severe constipation
Gastroparesis
Inflammation or irritation (e.g. gastroenteritis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, NSAID, chemotherapy, radiation)
Malignancy
Ascites

Question 6

Neurological conditions

Answer 6

Increased intracranial pressure (e.e malignancy, haemorrhage, cranial irradiation or abscess)
Meningeal infiltration
Vestibular (e.g. labyrinthitis or effects of medications or drugs)
Anxiety
Pain

Question 7

Copraemesis

Answer 7

Odour or presence of faeces in vomit

Question 8

retching

Answer 8

Movements associated with vomiting without the expulsion of gastrointestinal contents.

Question 9

Nausea

Answer 9

Subjective experience of feeling sick, Unpleasant feeling, often leading to vomiting.

Question 10

Emesis

Answer 10

Vomiting

Question 11

Haematemesis

Answer 11

Presence of blood in vomit, bright pink or ‘coffee ground’

Question 12

Vomiting

Answer 12

The forceful emptying of stomach contents through the mouth.

Question 13

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Answer 13

Acute nausea and vomiting/Delayed nausea and vomiting after Chemotherapy

Question 14

Anticipatory nausea and vomiting

Answer 14

ymptoms to a conditioned stimulus before treatment is commenced

Question 15

Emetic symptoms

Answer 15

Nausea, retching and vomiting

Question 16

Emetogenic potential

Answer 16

Ability of a treatment, eg chemotherapy, to cause nausea, retching and vomiting

Question 17

Antiemetics

Answer 17

Medication used to treat nausea, retching and vomiting

Question 18

Projectile vomiting

Answer 18

Spontaneous vomiting not preceded by nausea or retching.