Diseases, Conditions, Procedures (GI)

Question 1

Ascites

Answer 1

Pathological buildup of fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity as a result of liver disease, cancer, heart failure, or kidney failure

Question 2

Borborygmus

Answer 2

Gurgling or rumbling sound heard over the large intestine that is caused by gas moving through the intestines

Question 3

Cirrhosis

Answer 3

Chronic liver disease characterized by destruction of liver cells that eventually leads to ineffective liver function and jaundice
[cirrh=yellow; -osis= abnormal condition; increase]

Question 4

Diverticular disease

Answer 4

Formation of bulging pouches (diverticula) throughout the colon but most commonly in the lower portion of the colon (includes diverticulosis, diverticular bleeding, and diverticulitis)

Question 5

Dysentery

Answer 5

Inflammation of the intestine, especially of the colon, caused by chemical irritants, bacteria, or parasites, and characterized by diarrhea, colitis, and abdominal cramps
[dys-= bad, painful, difficult; enter=intestine (usually small); -y=condition, process]

Question 6

Fistula

Answer 6

Abnormal tunnel connecting two body cavities, such as the rectum and the vagina (rectovaginal fistula), or a body cavity to the skin, such as the rectum to the outside of the body, caused by an injury, infection, or inflammation]

Question 7

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Answer 7

Back flow (reflux) of gastric contents into the esophagus as a result of malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
[gastr/o=stomach; esophag=esophagus; -eal=pertaining to]

Question 8

Hematochezia

Answer 8

Passage of bright red, bloody stools (usually an indication that the colon is bleeding somewhere) commonly caused by diverticulitis or hemorrhoid a but may be a symptom of cancer

Question 9

Hemorrhoid

Answer 9

Mass of enlarge, twisted varicose veins in the mucous membrane inside (internal) or just outside (external) the rectum; aka “piles”
[hem/o=blood; -old=resembling]

Question 10

Hernia

Answer 10

Protrusion or projection of an organ or a part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it

Question 11

Strangulated hernia

Answer 11

Hernia whose blood supply has been cut off, leading to necrosis with gangrene of the hernial sac and its contents; a condition that is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery

Question 12

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Answer 12

Disorder that causes inflammation of the intestines

Question 13

Crohn disease

Answer 13

Chronic IBD that may affect any portion of the intestinal tract (usually the ileum) and is distinguished from closely related bowel disorders by its inflammatory pattern, which tends to be patchy or segmented; aka “regional colitis”

Question 14

Ulcerative colitis

Answer 14

Chronic IBD of the colon characterized by ulcers, constant diarrhea mixed with blood, and pain
[col=colon ; -itis=inflammation]

Question 15

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Answer 15

Common colon disorder characterized by constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating that does not cause permanent damage to the colon; aka “spastic colon”

Question 16

Jaundice

Answer 16

Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and scler an of the eyes caused by excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood; aka “hyperbilirubinemia”
[jaund=yellow; -ice=noun ending]

Question 17

Obesity

Answer 17

Condition I in which body weight exceeds the range of normal or healthy, which is characterized as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25

Question 18

Morbid obesity

Answer 18

More sever obesity in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, which is generally 100lbs or more over ideal body weight

Question 19

Ulcer

Answer 19

Open sore that may result from a perforation or lesion of the skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing or inflamed necrotic (pathological death of a cell) tissue

Question 20

Volvulus

Answer 20

Twisting of the bowel on itself; causing obstruction

Question 21

Barium enema (BE)

Answer 21

Radiographic examination of the rectum and colon after administration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium) into the rectum. BE is used for diagnosis of obstructions, tumors, or other abnormalities, such as ulcerative colitis.

Question 22

Barium swallow

Answer 22

Radiographic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine after oral administration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium) aka “upper GI series”

Question 23

Cholangiography

Answer 23

Radiographic examination of the bile ducts with a contrast medium to reveal gallstones or other obstruction in the bile ducts

Question 24

Esophagogatroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Answer 24

Visual examination of the esophagus (esophagoscopy), stomach (gastroscopy), and duodenum (duodenoscopy) using an endoscope; aka “upper GI endoscopy”
[endo-=within, in; -scopy=visual examination]

Question 25

Stool guaiac

Answer 25

Test performed on feces using the reagent gum guaiac to detect presence of blood in feces that is not apparent on visual examination; aka “hemoccult test”

Question 26

Bariatric surgery

Answer 26

Any of a group of procedures used to treat morbid obesity

Question 27

Vertical banded gastroplasty

Answer 27

Bariatric surgery in which the upper stomach near the esophagus is stapled vertically to reduce it to a small pouch and a band is inserted that restricts and delays food from leaving the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness
[gastr/o=stomach; -plasty=surgical repair]

Question 28

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB)

Answer 28

Bariatric surgery in which the stomach is first stapled to decrease it to a small pouch and then the jejunum is shortened and connected to the small stomach pouch, causing the base of the duodenum leading from the nonfunctioning portion of the stomach to form a Y configuration, which decreases the pathway of food through the intestine, reducing absorption of calories and fats

Question 29

Colostomy

Answer 29

Excision of a diseased part of the colon and relocation of the remaining end of the healthy colon through the abdominal wall to divert fecal flow to a colostomy bag

Question 30

Lithotripsy

Answer 30

Eliminating a stone within the gallbladder or urinary system by crushing it surgically or using a noninvasive method, such as ultrasonic shock waves, to shatter it
[lith/o=stone, calculus; -tripsy=crushing]

Question 31

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Answer 31

Use of shock waves as a noninvasive method to destroy stones in the gallbladder and biliary ducts
[extra-=outside; corpor=body; -eal=pertaining to; lith/o=stone, calculus; -tripsy=crushing]

Question 32

Nasogastric intubation

Answer 32

Insertion of a soft plastic nasogastric tube through the nostrils, past the pharynx, and down the esophagus into the stomach to remove substances from the stomach; deliver medication, food, or fluids; or obtain a specimen for laboratory analysis
[nas/o=nose; gastr=stomach; -ic = pertaining to]

Question 33

Polypectomy

Answer 33

Excision of small, tumor like, benign growths (polyps) that project from a mucous membrane surface
[polyp=small growth; -ectomy=removal, excision]

Question 34

Appendicitis

Answer 34

Inflammation of the appendix, typically an acute condition caused by blockage of the appendix followed by infection that is treated with surgical removal of the inflamed appendix and antibiotic therapy
[appendic=appendix; -itis=inflammation]

Question 35

Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis

Answer 35

Cholelithiasis-common condition in which there is an abnormal presence of gallstones or calculus that form in the bile. Acute Cholecystitis is a severe inflammation of the interior wall of the gallbladder. Most cases of acute Cholecystitis are a consequence of the obstruction of bile ducts by gallstones. When calculus are present in the common bile duct, the condition is known as choledocholithiasis. May be formed of cholesterol or calcium-based compounds and range from microscopic size to an inch. Most puts remain a symptomatic until the bile ducts become obstructed. Cause is not well understood, but may have contributing factors such as obesity, high-calorie diets, certain drugs, oral contraceptives, multiple pregnancies, and increasing age. A symptomatic gallstones are neither removed or treated. Obstructions can cause pain in the epigastric region, URQ, or both and sometimes radiate to upper right back area. Accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Symptomatic gallstone disease is treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgery involves incision in the abdomen so that a tiny video camera and surgical instrument can be inserted. The surgeon views the video pictures on a monitor and removes the gallbladder.

Question 36

Endoscopy

Answer 36

Minimally invasive diagnostic prosecute that used an endoscope (rigid or flexible fiberoptic tube and a lighted optical system) to examine visually the GI tract. Endoscopy can also be used to obtain sample for cytological and histology cal examination and to follow the course of a disease, such as the assessment of the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers. A camera or video recorder is commonly used to provide a permanent record for later reference. The organ being examined dictates the name of the endoscopic procedure. In the digestive system, endoscopies can be grouped into upper and lower GI endoscopies. An upper GI endoscopy uses an endoscope inserted through the nose or mouth. It includes endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, either separately or all together. These help identify tumors, varicose veins, peptic ulcers, and the source of upper GI bleeding. Lower GI endoscopies consists of endoscopy of the colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum and anal canal. This employs the use of an endoscope inserted through the rectum. Helps identify pathological conditions of the colon, such as colorectal cancer. In lower GI it may be combined with a polypectomy. Most are considered relatively painless, but moderate discomfort.