GI system

Question 1

Describe the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD)

Answer 1

• Chronic condition – repeated reflux
• Decrease tone of sphincter with delayed gastric emptying and/or increase intra-abdominal pressure = reflux back up
• Stomach acid erodes at mucosa line of esophagus lining = inflammation and cell damage = ulceration = strictures = potential cellular changes – possibly pre- cancerous (Barretts esophagus)

Question 2

S+S for GERD

Answer 2

• heart burn,
• dysphagia (difficult swallowing),
• Odynophagia (painful swallowing),
• acid/water brash (saliva + stomach acid),
• chronic cough,
• abdominal pain

Question 3

treatment GERD

Answer 3

Lifestyle changes (diet)

Proton pump inhibitors

H2 receptor inhibitors

Antacids

Surgery

Question 4

Describe the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease

Answer 4

-Break in mucosa lining of stomach (small intestine more common) = allows acids/enzymes to erode deeper tissues = bleeding, perforate, scarring, strictures
- Caused by something that affects integrity of mucosal surface

Question 5

S+S peptic ulcer disease

Answer 5

epigastric pain/discomfort

Nausea and vomiting (include blood)

Melena (black stools from digestive blood)

Anemia (associated with bleeding and blood loss)

Gastric bleeding

Question 6

What is Ulcerative colitis

Answer 6

• Inflammation in just mucosa
• Colon only (distal)

Question 7

What is Crohn’s disease

Answer 7

-Inflammation in all layers
-small intestine and proximal colon

Question 8

S+S for crohns and UC

Answer 8

-Abdominal pain

Urgency defecation

nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Weight loss/anorexia (loss of appetite)

Bleeding

Both have periods of exacerbation and remission

Question 9

UC and crohns treatment

Answer 9

• diet changes
  -medication
  -surgery