GI/GU

Question 1

Esophageal Varices

Answer 1

Increased pressure of the veins in the distal esophagus. Caused by liver problems and cirrhosis. Rupture can cause serious upper GI bleeding. Violently vomiting blood. Severe shock

Treatment: Manage ABCs and IV fluids

Question 2

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Answer 2

The lining of the stomach and duodenum weakens, and hydrochloric acid eats at the mucosa layer. Risk factors include smoking, alcohol and use of NSAIDs. Relieved with eating.

Question 3

Cholecystitis (Gallstones)

Answer 3

RUQ radiating to shoulder. Inflammation of the cystic duct (gallbladder to the duodenum) usually by gallstones. Murphy’s Sign, fever, jaundice, tachycardia, 5 F’s.

Treatment: Pain relief and IVs.

Question 4

Appendicitis

Answer 4

RLQ. Buildup near the site by feces usually. Less blood flow and lymph fluid, increased pressure can cause rupture, leading to sepsis, or death. Common in adolescents.

Question 5

Diverticular Disease

Answer 5

LLQ. Slight caving in the colon’s walls where arteries arrive can be expanded by the pressure from trapped feces creating bigger pockets called diverticula. Feces can become trapped in there and cause inflammation and infection. Inflammation of these pouches is called diverticulitis.

Question 6

Pancreatitis

Answer 6

Epigastric. Duct carrying enzymes from the pancreas becomes blocked - enzymes activate and eat the pancreas. Epigastric pain - can radiate to back and shoulder.

Question 7

Ulcerative Colitis

Answer 7

General chronic inflammation of the colon.

Question 8

Crohn’s Disease

Answer 8

Similar to Ulcerative Colitis, but affects the whole GI tract. Immune system attacks its own GI tract. Autoimmune condition. Inflammation commonly occurs in the ileum.

Question 9

Acute Gastroenteritis

Answer 9

Stomach bug. Can last a few days. Infected water or food, fecal to oral route. May present with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and cramps within hours to days.

Question 10

Acute Hepatitis

Answer 10

A and E - fecal to oral. B, C, D - bloodborne or sexual transmission. Incubation period of 2 weeks to 6 months. Jaundice, cirrhosis and abdominal pain.

Question 11

Feculent Breath

Answer 11

Breath smell of feces. Indication of bowel obstruction.

Question 12

Orthostatic Vital Signs

Answer 12

Test for hypovolemia, comfort laying down - sitting up. 1-2 minutes between. HR >20 or Pulse Pressure decreases.

15-20% blood loss will show Orthostatic Vital Sign changes.

Question 13

Steatorrhea

Answer 13

Foamy, fatty, yellow to grey colored stool that floats in water. Sign of liver or pancreas disease due to excessive fat in stool.

Question 14

Vomitus

Answer 14

Partially digested food mixed with acidic odour.

Question 15

Hematemesis

Answer 15

Blood from upper GI tract that is mixed with food and vomited. Black, coffee ground appearance. Can’t tell blood from food.

Question 16

Vomitus with Blood

Answer 16

Vomit that has distinguishable red blood. Caused by bleeding in the upper GI tract that has not been digested in the stomach.

Question 17

Acholic Stool

Answer 17

Lighter white/tan colored stool softer than normal. Bile gives it the usual darker color - therefore indicates liver disease.

Question 18

Hematochezia

Answer 18

Blood incorporated into stool, distinguishable. Lower GI bleed.

Question 19

Melena

Answer 19

Black, stinky, tarry stool. Has blood in it but indistinguishable. Upper GI bleed.

Question 20

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Answer 20

Infection of the lower GU tract (bladder and urethra). Easily treatable with antibiotics. Urination: painful, burning, difficulty, frequent, hematuria.

Treatment: Pain control + IV dimenhydrinate

Question 21

Kidney Stones

Answer 21

11/10 pain. Agitated/restless or motionless guarding abdomen.

Treatment: Pain control + IV dimenhydrinate

Question 22

Acute Renal Failure (Prerenal, Intrarenal, Postrenal)

Answer 22

Sudden decrease of GFR. Reversible if treated early. High level of toxins.

Treatment: ABC management and IVs.

Question 23

Chronic Renal Failure

Answer 23

Progressive, irreversible kidney failure. Damaged and shrinking kidney, uremia, edema. Require regular dialysis to survive.

Treatment: ABC management and IVs.