Gastrointestinal System: General Overview Flashcards
Kehr’s Sign
Occurrence of acute pain in the tip of the shoulder due to the presence of blood or other irritants in the peritoneal cavity when a person is lying down and the legs are elevated.
Right shoulder tip pain associated with right upper quadrant abdominal pain in a person with cholecystitis.
Left shoulder tip pain post abdominal trauma, which often indicates damage to or a ruptured spleen.
Why is left sidelying preferred in patients with GERD
Right sidelying may promote acid flowing into the esophagus
Bleeding from gastric mucosa secondary to stress, NSAIDs, alcohol utilization, viral infection or direct trauma
S&Sx: dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis. May be asymptomatic
Erosive Gastritis (Acute gastritis)
Results of helicobacter pylori infection
S&Sx: Usually asymptomatic but will show symptoms if gastritis progresses
Non-erosive Gastritis (Chronic type B gastritis)
Disruption of erosion in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Imbalance between the protective mechanisms of the stomach and the secretion of acids within the stomach
S&Sx: epigastric pain, burning/heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, bloody stools, pain that comes in waves that are relieved by eating. H. pylori specific symptoms include halitosis, rosacea, and flushing
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Malabsorption Syndromes
Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic carcinoma, pernicious anemia, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, Addison’s disease
Condition characterized by reduced intestinal absorption and inadequate nutrition
S&Sx: weight loss, chronic diarrhea, anemia, fatigue, abdominal bloating, steatorrhea (oil covered stools), abdominal cramps, indigestion, bone pain, and excessive gas
Malabsorption Syndrome
Recurrent symptoms of Upper and Lower GI that interfere with normal functioning of the colon
S&Sx: Abdominal pain, bloating or distention of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, changes in form and frequency of stool, passing of mucus in stool
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory process within the liver
S&Sx: fever, flu symptoms, abrupt onset of fatigue, anorexia, headache, jaundice, darkened urine, lighter stool, enlarged spleen and liver, and intermittent pruritus
Hepatitis
Hepatitis type transmitted through close personal contact with infected persons or through fecal-oral route.
Flu-like symptoms for acute infection; does not progress to chronic disease or cirrhosis
Recovery in 6-10 weeks
Hepatitis A (HAV)
Hepatitis type transmitted through sharing of infected person’s blood, semen or maternal-fetal exposure.
Asymptomatic
10% become chronic hepatitis (treated with interferon alfa-2b)
Hepatitis B (HBV)
One of the primary etiologies for chronic liver disease and eventual liver failure
Transmitted through infected persons’ blood, semen, body fluids, or maternal-fetal exposure.
90% of post transfusion hepatitis cases
Asymptomatic
Chronic hepatitis occurs in 50% of cases, 20% of those progress to cirrhosis of the liver
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Condition where healthy tissue of the liver is replaced with scar tissue that blocks the flow of blood through the organ
S&Sx: ascites, LE edema, jaundice, gallstones, increased itching, ecchymosis, bleeding, increase in sensitivity to medications, accumulation of toxins in the brain, portal vein hypertension, development of varices, immune system dysfunction, encephalopathy, and liver cancer.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Caused most commonly by impaction of the cystic duct
S&Sx: Right upper quadrant pain, muscle guarding, tenderness, and rebound pain (can radiate to interscapular region). Jaundice, fever, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal rigidity
Cholecystitis
Left Upper Quadrant Pain and Potential Etiologies
Gastric Ulcer Perforated Colon Pneumonia Spleen Injury Spleen Rupture Aortic aneurysm
