Intestinal Failure, Malnutrition & Malabsorption

Question 1

What is intestinal failure?

Answer 1

Inability to maintain adequate nutrition + fluid demand via the intestines

Question 2

What are some causes of intestinal failure?

Answer 2

Obstruction
Surgical resection (removal of part or all of the organ)
Congenital defects
Malabsorption diseases

Question 3

What is the time frame for acute intestinal failure?

Answer 3

Up to 2 weeks

Question 4

What is the treatment of choice for type III (chronic) intestinal failure?

Answer 4

Home parenteral nutrition

Question 5

Less than 300 cm of small bowel is classed as short bowel syndrome. True/False?

Answer 5

False
Less than 200 cm is classed as short bowel syndrome

Question 6

What are the 4 stages of nutritional support?

Answer 6

Food (feeding normally)
Oral supplements
Enteral feeding
Parenteral feeding

Question 7

What is enteral tube feeding?

Answer 7

Delivery of nutrition into the stomach, duodenum or jejunum via a tube

Question 8

What is parenteral feeding?

Answer 8

Administration of nutrition intravenously

Question 9

What is refeeding syndrome?

Answer 9

Fatal shift in fluid and electrolyte imbalance caused by sudden feeding following long period of undernutrition

Question 10

Define malabsorption

Answer 10

Defective mucosal absorption due to poor luminal digestion or structural disease

Question 11

Which deficiency/-ies might cause easy bruising?

Answer 11

Vitamin K or Vitamin C deficiency

Question 12

Which deficiency/-ies are known to cause glossitis?

Answer 12

Vitamin B12 deficiency
Iron deficiency

Question 13

Which deficiency is known to cause spooning of the nails?

Answer 13

Iron deficiency