Medical GI Flashcards
(16 cards)
Abdominal Emergencies
4 Quadrants
Right uppper
Left Upper
Right Lower
Left Lower
Solid Organ
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Ovaries(women)
Physiology
- The abdominal cavity is lined by peritoneum
- Any foreign material such as blood, pus, bile, pancreactic juice or amniotic fluid can cause peritonitis
- Hematemesis: Vomiting blood
- Melena: black tarry stools containing blood
- Referred Pain: results of connections between the bodys two separate nervous system(somatic/autonomic)
Peritonitis: is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs
Signs & Symptoms
Abdominal discomfort
- ecchymosis: bruising
- HematomaL bleeding beneath the skin
- Hematemesis: Blood in vomit
- Melena: Black tarry stool
Emergencies
Hollow Organs
- Gallbladder
- Stomach
- Small Intestine
- Bladder
Gallstones
- Gallstones can form and block the outlet from the gallbladder, causing pain.
- If the stone does not pass it can lead to inflammation of the gallbladder –> cholecystitis
Ulcers
- Peptic Ulcer Disease(PUD): erodes the protective layers lining the esophagus, stomach or small intestine
- this allows the acids to make sores
- patients w/PUD experience a classic sequence of burning or gnawing pain
- usually presents w/upper abdominal pain
- severe cases can lead to hematemesis
Pancreatitis
- The pancreas forms digestive juices and is also the source of the body’s insulin
- Some causes can be from an obstructing gallstones, alcoholl abue and other diseases
- Pt will present with upper quadrant–Radiating to back
Appendicitis
Small recess of the large intestines
Signs: RLQ pain, fever,
Treatment: Surgical removal
Esophagitis & GERD
p.762
occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes inflammed by infection from the acids in the stomach
GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease
Esophageal Varices
p. 762
- results of pressure w/in the blood vessels surrounding the esophagus increases, usually as a result of liver failure
- the esophageal blood vessels eventually drain their blood into the liver
- if pressure continues the vessel walls begin to fail causing upper GI bleeding, which leads to hematemesis
Diverticulitis/Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis p.763
Diverticulitis p. 764
Diverticulitis:
* -Most common cause of lower GI bleeding
* -Bleeding is bright red & typically painless
* -pain in LLQ
Gastroenteritis:
*
Patient Assessment
- Causative event & if acute or chronic
- Time of onset
- Type of expelled GI contents(melena, blood)
- Amount and frequency of expelled GI contents
- Skin temp./fever
- Pain/Discomfort
- Location(RUP, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ)
- Skin color
- Signs of dehydration
- DR GEM-D.istension R.igidity G.uarding E.ccamosis M.asses(pulsating)
distendid= swollen
rigidity=hard
guarding= protecting
eccamosis= bruising
masses= something pulsating at you
Treatment
Pt. will require further medical cre in hospital setting
