Week 2 Pre-Learning: GI Tract - Lower Disorders

Question 1

What are common lower GI symptoms? (2)

Answer 1

• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Question 2

What are common lower GI disorders and their potential complications? (4)

Answer 2

1. Appendicitis - peritonitis
2. IBDs - Intestinal obstruction
3. Malabsorption syndrome
4. Colon cancer

Question 3

What is diarrhea? (2)

Answer 3

• frequent passage of watery stools (more than 3/day but varies)
• GI secretions are rich in HCO3- and K+

Question 4

What are some common causes of diarrhea? (3)

Answer 4

1. Decreased fluid absorption (drugs, malabsorption, mucosal damage)
2. Increased fluid secretion (infection, drugs, food, hormones)
3. Motility disturbances (Irritated bowel syndrome, diabetic enteropathy)

Question 5

What are three complications of prolonged diarrhea?

Answer 5

• metabolic acidosis
• Hypokalemia (may lead to cardiac arrythmias)
• Dehydration

Question 6

Why does prolonged diarrhea cause metabolic acidosis?

Answer 6

• loss of HCO3- in the GI secretions and pancreatic juice

Question 7

How will the body compensate for metabolic acidosis with prolonged diarrhea?

Answer 7

• Increasing respiratory rate to decrease CO2 (kussmaul respirations)

Question 8

Prolonged diarrhea causes dehydration. Who is at risk, and what can occur?

Answer 8

• children and older adults (fewer fluid reserves)
• Eventually, hypovolemic shock can occur

Question 9

What is constipation?

Answer 9

• infrequent or hard to pass bowel movements

Question 10

What can constipation lead to? (2)

Answer 10

• cause of painful defecation
• ## can lead to fecal impaction and eventually obstruction

Question 11

What causes constipation? (5)

Answer 11

1. Diet - low fibre + low liquid intake
2. Medications
3. Metabolic and muscular disorders
4. Structural and functional abnormalities
5. Psychologic reasons

Question 12

Which medications may cause constipation? (7)

Answer 12

• opioids
• diuretics
• antidepressants (slow the tract)
• anti-convulsants
• anti-histamines
• aluminum/calcium antacids
• calcium channel blockers

Question 13

Which metabolic and muscular disorders cause constipation? (7)

Answer 13

• hypercalcemia
• hypothyroidism
• diabetes mellitus
• cystic fibrosis (thicker secretions)
• celiac disease (malabsorption)
• muscular dystrophy (weakened muscles)

Question 14

Which structural and functional abnormalities cause constipation? (5)

Answer 14

• spinal cord lesion
• Parkinsons
• Colon cancer
• anal fissures
• paralytic ileus

Question 15

What psychological reasons might cause constipation? (3)

Answer 15

• Voluntary withdrawal of stool
• Depression
• Stress