Week 5.1 Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
there can be two types of bowel obstruction, what are they
inside (meaning something like a tumor or swelling)
outside (like organs or tissues that are compressing the intestines)
if you have colic pain and abdominal pain, you have an obstruction in the ___ intestine
small
if you have distention, the obstruction is in the ___ intestine
large
what 4 broad categories can cause bowel obstruction in the Small
adhesions
hernias
inflammatory diseases
Tumors
what is a hernia
it is a bulge where the intestine passes through the abdominal wall
give examples of inflammatory diseases
Chron’s, diverticulitis
tumors in the SMI usually spread from the
colon, reproductive organs, breast, bowel, skin
what is a leading risk factor for a SBO
early abdominal surgery
what does the abdominal pain feel like with a SBO
intense waves, 5-15 minutes between the naval and the rib cage
what is you have constant abdominal pain with a SBO
there is bowel strangulation
S+S of SBO
- cramping and abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- no gas passing through the rectum
- bloating and tenderness
- rapid pulse and breathing
- upper GI distension
- constipation
- lack of appetite
LBO is the cause of ___% of all bowel obstructions
80
what is the mortality rate of a LBO
10-30% depends on the perforation
what is the most common cause of LBO in developed countries
adhesions
what is the other most common cause of LBO
adenocarcinoma colon
what does colorectal cancer cause
narrowing of the lg intestine and constipation before the obstruction
what is a Volvolus
cause of a LBO, that is when the abdomen twists a segment of the bowel around itself. The twisting is a closed loop of bowel with a pinched base. Typical in Western countries, people over 65, with a hx of constipation
how does Diverticular disease cause LBO
you get a small balloon shaped pouch out of the wall in the intestine, that can become infected (diverticulitis). when it heals, you get scars in the wall of the colon. this tightens and narrows and ends up blocking the colon.
what is the name of the scar tissue encircling the colon?
whirl sign
LBO S+S
- lower abdominal distention and bloating
- lower abdominal cramping and pain (vague, mild, sharp severe)
- constipation
- diarrhea
- possible rectal bleeding (streaks)
how does one get diarrhea with an obstruction
the liquid stool can pass around the partial obstruction
what are the red flags for immediate referral
intense and constant abdominal pain
vomiting
bloating
blood in the stool
