Ch9: GI & Hepatology Flashcards
(102 cards)
what causes almost all duodenal ulcers?
h. pylori
> 95%
its not too much acid, its not too much stress - its a bacterial infection
(2) typical symptoms of GERD
- heartburn
- regurgitation
a CLINICAL diagnossi
how do you diagnose GERD
clinically, based on symptoms
upper endoscopy, barium radiograph, H. pylori testing are NOT needed routinely, only if refractory to standard care or alarm symptoms
ALARMS findings in GERD that warrant upper endoscopy
A - anemia (iron deficiency, signals GI bleeding)
L - loss of weight (involuntary)
A - anorexia (persistent)
R - recent onset of progressive symptoms
M - melena (tarry or bloody stools) or hematemesis (vomiting, bright red blood)
S - swallowing difficulty (dysphagia, odynophagia)
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
odynophagia
painful swallowing
first line pharm therapy for GERD
PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
usually taken QD prior to the first meal of the day for maximum effect
Can use lowest effective dose as daily, on demand, or intermittent therapy
acceptable alternative: H2 receptor antagonist therapy (e.g., ranitidine)
when should you refer a patient with GERD for GI evaluation with upper endoscopy?
- failing PPI BID at maximum recommended dose
- protracted PPI use with adverse effects (e.g., nutrient malabsorption, bone loss, pneumonia, C. diff)
once someone has been on a PPI for at least _____, they will have rebound hyperacidity when coming off of them
8 weeks
Possible adverse effects from protracted PPI use (4)
- micronutrient malabsorption (vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, iron)
- increased fracture risk, decreased bone density
- pneumonia
- C. diff infection risk
Lifestyle modifications for GERD
- weight loss PRN
- elevate the head of the bed
- avoid meals 2-3 hours before bedtime
- avoid trigger foods (chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods)
common GERD triggers
- chocolate
- caffeine
- alcohol
- acidic foods (tomatoes, lemonade, etc.)
clinical presentation of GERD
- heartburn
- regurgitation
- recurrent cough
- chronic pharyngitis
- hoarseness
often exacerbated by obesity
one of the most common reasons for adults to have hoarseness and recurrent cough
GERD
78yo M with PMH of longstanding GERD presents with 1-mo history of dysphagia, “feeling like the food gets stuck in my throat.” Physical exam unremarkable. Labs return an iron deficiency anemia
top (3) differential dx
- esophageal cancer
- esophageal strictures
- esophagitis
78yo M with PMH of longstanding GERD presents with 1-mo history of dysphagia, “feeling like the food gets stuck in my throat.” Physical exam unremarkable. Labs return an iron deficiency anemia. You suspect esophagitis, esophageal strictures, or esophageal cancer. Next diagnostic step?
upper endoscopy with biopsy
barium swallow would outline the lesion, but would still need an upper endoscopy with biopsy were a lesion to be found
pt is diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. which medication will you prescribe to specifically prevent recurrence of the ulcer?
- antibiotics (since duodenal ulcers are caused by h.pylori bacteria)
you will also prescribe PPI and recommend antacid to help heal the ulcer, but the antibiotics are what will prevent it from coming back by eradicating the underlying cause
when is leukocytosis (elevated WBC >10,000) an anticipated finding?
significant bacterial infection, such as appendicitis, pyelonephritis, bacterial pneumonia, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.
leukocytosis
WBCs >10,000 mm3
normal range WBC count
6,000 - 10,000 mm3
normal % of neutrophils on a CBC with diff
60%
normal % of lymphocytes on a CBC with diff
30%
normal % of monocytes on a CBC with diff
6%
normal % of eosinophils on a CBC with diff
3%