Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Patho 2 > Week 7: Digestive 1 > Flashcards

Week 7: Digestive 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 common clinical manifestations of GI disorders?

A

Diarrhea
Malabsorption
GI Bleeding
Obstruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is diarrhea?

A

Increased stool frequency, fluidity, or volume.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are 3 types of diarrhea?

A
  1. Osmotic
  2. Motility
  3. Secretory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Osmotic Diarrhea

A

Caused by osmosis due to unabsorbed substances in the intestine.

The digestive system doesn’t have enough time to digest and absorb food, leading to undigested substances attracting water.

Ex: lactose intolerant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Motility Diarrhea

A

Anything that increases parasympathetic activity, like inflammation or nervousness, can speed up the intestines and cause diarrhea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Secretory Diarrhea

A

More rare, Intestinal cells secrete water instead of absorbing it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is example of secretory diarrhea?

A

Cholera, where bacteria produce a toxin that reverses the water pump in the intestine. Which is rare in Canada.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What can diarrhea cause?

A

Dehydration

Sodium and potassium loss (electrolyte imbalance)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How do you treat diarrhea?

A

Give water + sodium + potassium.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is malabsorption?

A

the failure of the intestinal mucosa to absorb digestive nutrients.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where is most absorption done?

A

Small intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does the stomach absorb, and what does the intestine absorb?

A

The stomach absorbs a small amount of alcohol.

The large intestine absorbs water and some electrolytes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are 3 common malabsorption syndromes?

A

Pancreatic Insufficiency
Lactase Deficiency (Lactose Intolerance)
Bile Salt Deficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is missing in Pancreatic Insufficiency?

A

Pancreatic enzymes, which is needed for digestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does pancreatic insufficiency affect in regards to absorption?

A

Affects Carbs, proteins, fats.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Lactase Deficiency (Lactose Intolerance)?

A

When the body can’t break down lactose, it stays in the intestines, pulls in water, and causes diarrhea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Bile Salt Deficiency

A

Without bile, fats can’t be broken down properly, making it harder for the body to digest them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is included in the physiology of absorption?

A

Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What breaks carbs down?

A

Broken down into monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, fructose) by enzymes like pancreatic amylase.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does pancreatic insufficiency lead to?

A

Impaired carbohydrate digestion, protein digestion, and no bile salts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What breaks proteins down?

A

Trypsin (most common), chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase (pancreas).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Where is lactase in the body?

A

Brush border of enterocytes in the small intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What damages lactase?

A

Viral infections (rotavirus), premature birth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What happens to the body without bile?

A

Fat digestion stops → diarrhea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Why avoid fatty foods after gallbladder removal?
No bile storage → less fat digestion → diarrhea.
26
What do bile salts act like?
detergents, breaking down fat droplets into water-soluble monoglycerides.
27
How is GI bleeding split up into?
Upper and lower
28
What's a sign of upper GI bleeding?
Hematemesis (vomiting blood).
29
What causes upper GI bleeding?
bleeding ulcers, esophageal varices, and gastric cancer.
30
What are signs of lower GI bleeding?
Melena (dark, tarry stools) Hematochezia (bright red blood) Occult bleeding (hidden, found in fecal occult blood tests)
31
What causes lower GI bleeding?
Rectal cancer, hemorrhoids.
32
What are the 4 complications of GI bleeding?
Blood Volume Depletion Compensatory Mechanisms Renal Failure Acidosis
33
What is blood volume depletion?
Loss of blood volume can cause hypovolemic shock, and internal bleeding might not be obvious right away.
34
What is Compensatory Mechanisms?
The body responds by raising heart rate, narrowing blood vessels to keep blood pressure up, and reducing urine output to save water.
35
What is renal failure?
Prolonged low blood volume can damage the kidneys, causing renal failure, with early increased urination (polyuria) followed by little or no urine (oliguria or anuria).
36
What is acidosis?
Renal damage can lead to metabolic acidosis due to impaired bicarbonate production and hydrogen ion excretion.
37
What is obstruction?
Occurs when any part of the GI tract is blocked.
38
What are the 4 common causes of obstruction?
Herniations Adhesions Volvulus Intussusception
39
How do herniations cause obstructions?
Intestinal loops can push through weak spots in the abdomen, and if trapped, they may lose blood flow, leading to ischemia and tissue death.
40
How do Adhesions cause obstructions?
Scar tissue sticks intestines together. Often after surgeries (C-section, appendectomy).
41
What can trapped hernias cause?
Can cause blood flow deficiencies, ischemia, and necrosis.
42
How does Volvulus cause obstruction?
The Intestine twists. Common in thin/premature kids. Can cause ischemia, necrosis , perforation.
43
How does Intussusception cause obstruction?
Intestinal peristalsis overdoes itself and gets stuck Common in kids with diarrhea. Can cause blockage, ischemia, necrosis. Easy to repair
44
What are symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome?
Distension, causing pain Gas and fluid accumulation Ischemia Vomiting Antiperistalsis (peristalsis in the opposite direction)
45
What are complications of intestinal obstruction?
Distention Digestive problems Ischemia Peritonitis Shock
46
What is distention?
Accumulation of gas and fluid impairs breathing due to pressure on the diaphragm. Can lead to atelectasis and pneumonia.
47
What digestive problems are included with intestinal obstruction?
Nausea and vomiting lead to loss of water and electrolytes, causing electrolyte imbalances.
48
What is ischema?
Decreased arterial blood flow can cause ischemia, necrosis, and perforation.
49
What is Peritonitis?
Perforation leads to peritonitis, characterized by rebound pain (pain upon lifting pressure from the abdomen).
50
What is shock?
Dehydration and complications can lead to shock.
51
What is GERD?
the reflux of chyme (acid +pepsin) from the stomach into the esophagus.
52
What causes GERD?
Weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Diaphragm can’t hold stomach contents down.
53
What happens in GERD?
The LES and diaphragm stop stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus, which lacks protective mucus and can become inflamed (esophagitis) if exposed to the stomach’s acidic contents.
54
Why is GERD bad?
Stomach acid burns esophagus, as it has low pH (esophagitis). Esophagus lacks protective mucus.
55
What are GERD complications?
Reflux Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus due to gastric acid. Ulcers: Can cause bleeding (hematemesis). Strictures: Chronic inflammation can lead to narrowing of the esophagus.
56
What is Barrett Esophagus - GERD complication
Esophageal lining changes to stomach lining (metaplasia)
57
How does the lining change in Barrett Esophagus?
The Z-line marks where stomach and esophagus linings meet, but in Barrett's esophagus, it shifts upward as stomach lining replaces esophageal lining in response to long-term acid exposure.
58
Why is Barrett bad?
Increases risk of esophageal cancer.
59
What is a hiatal hernia?
Occurs when part of the stomach slides through the diaphragm into the thoracic region.
60
What are the 2 Types of Hiatal Hernia?
Sliding (most common): Stomach + gastroesophageal junction slide up. Paraesophageal: Only part of stomach slides up next to esophagus
61
Why is hiatal hernia bad?
Increases GERD risk → may need surgery.
62
What is esophageal cancer?
serious condition that is often diagnosed late due to its hidden nature.
63
What are the Risk factors for esophageal cancer?
Barrett esophagus Age > 65 Men Smoking Alcohol abuse
64
What type of esophageal cancer is common?
Squamous cell carcinoma (lower esophagus).
65
What are signs of esophageal cancer?
Progressive difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Weight loss Bleeding (hematemesis)
66
What are 2 Types Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are chronic, recurrent inflammatory conditions.
67
What is ulcerative colitis?
Inflammation of the colon and rectum characterized by ulcers.
68
What are symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
diarrhea, bleeding, weight loss, and malabsorption.
69
What does ulcerative colitis increase the risk of?
colon cancer due to recurrent ulceration and proliferation.
70
What is Crohn's disease?
Transmural Chronic inflammation with granulomas.
71
Where does Crohn's disease occur in the body?
Can occur anywhere in the GI tract but often affects the colon. It usually affects segments of tissue, with diseased areas mixed between healthy ones.
72
What is Diverticular Disease?
Pouching out of colon wall.
73
What is Diverticula?
The sac-like outpouchings of the mucosa in the colon.
74
What are the 2 types of Diverticular Disease?
Diverticulosis: Asymptomatic presence of diverticula. Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula, often due to obstruction.
75
What causes diverticulitis?
Trapped stool/seeds in pouches.
76
What are complications of Diverticulitis
Perforation Peritonitis
77
How do you manage Diverticular Disease?
Prevent formation of new diverticula. Partial colectomy to remove affected areas.
78
What is appendicitis?
Involves inflammation of the appendix, often triggered by an obstruction
79
What causes appendicitis?
Obstruction from lymph node swelling (infection). Traps bacteria → inflammation → necrosis.
80
What is Peyer's Patches Analogy in appendicitis?
Similar to Peyer's patches in the intestine, the appendix contains accumulations of immune cells that are part of the GI tract's immune system.
81
What are visual changes in appendicitis?
The appendix appears red and inflamed, unlike its normal smooth, pink appearance.
82
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
RLQ pain Red, swollen appendix Risk of rupture → peritonitis (surgical emergency!)
83
How common is colorectal cancer?
Top 4 in Canada and globally.
84
How does colorectal cancer manifest?
manifest as polyps
85
How is colorectal cancer found?
Colonoscopy: Useful for identifying polyps and early-stage cancers. Fecal occult blood test: Detects microscopic blood in the stool, indicating potential tumors.
86
Why do the tumors occasional bleed?
Tumors are highly vascularized
87
What are most colorectal cancers?
Adenocarcinomas
88
How does colorectal cancers metastasize?
Commonly metastasizes to the liver and lungs via the mesenteric veins and portal system.
89
What are the S&S of colorectal cancer?
Bleeding in the stools Difficulty pooping Change in bowel habits Rectal discomfort
90
what are the challenges with detecting colorectal cancer?
Cancers located higher up in the colon may only be detected via colonoscopy, as symptoms may be attributed to dietary changes.
91
Where does colorectal cancer happen most?
Lower colon (sigmoid) + rectum (45%)
92
How is the progression in colorectal cancer?
Takes years for early polyps to turn into invasive cancer, so early detection is key.
93
Treatment difficulty in colorectal cancer?
Once cancer spreads and becomes invasive, treatment is much harder, and survival rates go down.
94
How can you prevent colorectal cancer?
Early detection and removal of benign polyps can prevent progression to malignancy.

Patho 2 (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions