GPT 2.05 Notes Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the anatomy of the lower GI tract?
Jejunum → ileum → cecum → colon → rectum → anus
What are the main functions of the lower GI tract?
Absorption of nutrients and water, feces formation, storage, and defecation
What types of pain receptors are in the abdomen?
Somatic, visceral, neuropathic, and referred pain receptors
What characterizes somatic abdominal pain?
Sharp, well-localized pain from parietal peritoneum irritation
What characterizes visceral abdominal pain?
Dull, poorly localized pain from hollow organs or viscera
What is neuropathic abdominal pain?
Pain due to nerve injury or dysfunction
What is referred pain in the abdomen?
Pain perceived at a site distant from the origin due to shared nerve pathways
What nerves supply abdominal pain sensation?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves; somatic nerves for parietal peritoneum
What are physical signs of peritonitis?
Guarding, rigidity, rebound tenderness, absent bowel sounds
What is an ‘acute abdomen’?
Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain requiring urgent diagnosis
What is the ‘aetiological sieve’ approach?
Systematic method to narrow differential diagnosis by categorizing causes (vascular, inflammatory, obstructive, etc.)
What is the normal GI microbiology?
Predominantly anaerobes, with some aerobes; essential for digestion and immunity
What causes surgical sepsis?
Infection due to perforation, contamination during surgery, abscess formation
What is the surgical stress response?
Neuroendocrine and inflammatory response causing catabolism, immune changes, and metabolic shifts
How does surgical stress affect recovery?
Increases risk of complications like infection, delayed healing, and organ dysfunction
How can surgical and anesthetic techniques modify the stress response?
Minimally invasive surgery, regional anesthesia, optimized analgesia reduce response
What are the main categories of shock?
Hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive (septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic), obstructive
What causes hypovolemic shock?
Severe blood or fluid loss
What is cardiogenic shock?
Pump failure due to myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathy
What causes distributive shock?
Widespread vasodilation and increased permeability (e.g., sepsis)
What is obstructive shock?
Mechanical obstruction of blood flow (e.g., tamponade, pulmonary embolism)
What are key clinical features of shock?
Hypotension, tachycardia, cold/clammy skin or warm/flushed (distributive), altered mental state
