OnlineMedEd: Gastroenterology - "Malabsorbtion"

Question 1

What nutrients are absorbed by the duodenum?

Answer 1

• Iron

* Calcium

Question 2

What nutrients are absorbed in the terminal ileum?

Answer 2

• Fat
• Bile salts
• Fat-soluble vitamins

Question 3

Explain the utility of D-xylose.

Answer 3

The first test to evaluate malabsorption is the fat challenge (a 100-gram bolus of fat to assess for steatorrhea). Once that comes back positive, you need to determine whether the problem is with the enzymes or with the intestinal epithelium. D-xylose is already broken down to its absorbable unit, so if that is not absorbed then you know it is a problem with the epithelium and not the enzymes.

Question 4

Celiac causes malabsorption by ____________.

Answer 4

blunting the intestinal villi

Question 5

Rash and malabsorptive symptoms?

Answer 5

Dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac sprue

Question 6

Why can’t you have a person with suspected celiac eliminate gluten as a diagnostic tool?

Answer 6

It can take up to four months of gluten avoidance to return to baseline.

Question 7

___________ deficiency can cause nystagmus.

Answer 7

Vitamin E

Question 8

Review the constellation of symptoms seen in Whipple’s disease.

Answer 8

• Malabsorption
• Arthralgia
• Cardiac involvement (not sure what)
• Lymphadenopathy

Question 9

How is Whipple’s treated?

Answer 9

•Bactrim

or

• Doxycycline