wk 8 7 bowel obstruction Flashcards
(40 cards)
outline the pathophysiology of bowel obstruction
(any part in GI)
dilation of bowel proximal (air +fluid)
peristalsis disrupted
t/f upper small bowel obstruction would cause large volumes of vomiting
true
in distal small bowel/ large bowel obstruction what 2 things would be observed
colicky ab pain and distension
vomiting (possibly faeculent)
5 associated symptoms of intestinal obstruction
vomiting pain constipation distension complete/incomplete obstruction
t/f the more distal the obstruction, the earlier vomiting develops
false
more proximal = early whitey
t/f vomiting can occur even if nil by mouth
true
saliva/gastric/pancreatic/bile/small intestine secretions still produced
nature of vomit can be described as semi-digested, copious bile-stained or thicker brown vomit, what does each signify
semi-digested - no bile, suggests gastric outlet obstruction
copious bile stained- upper small bowel obstruction
thicker/brown - faeculuent, more distal obstruction
how does colicky pain arise from intestinal obstructio n
peristalsis attempts to overcome obstruction
t/f large bowel obstructions develop more gradually
true
larger capacity and absorptive activity
in large bowel obstruction, explain what happens to the caecum
if ileo-caecal valve competent, backwards flow prevented, instead caecum distes with swallowed air and eventually may rupture
what happens if the ileo-caecal valve is incompetent in large bowel obstruction
small bowel also distends, delaying symptoms
in incomplete obstruction, describe the vomiting and bowel habit
vomiting intermittent
bowel habit - erratic / just farts
t/f chronic incomplete obstruction leads to hyperplasia of muscle of proximal bowel wall
false
hypertrophy!
peristalstic activity proximal or distal of the hypertrophic muscle is the cause of colicky pain?
proximal
4 physical signs of intestinal obstruction
dehydration
ab distensioin
visible peristalsis
lack of ab tenderness
obstruction with abdominal tenderness may indicate
strangulation
what would the percussion of an ab obstruction be describedas
resonant in centre- build up of gases
other than stomach, what else must be examined in intestinal obstruction
groins - hernia
first line investigation for suspected bowel obstruction
supine ab x-ray
distended small bowel loops on x-ray tend to
lie in a central position and have valvulae coniventes (keckring folds - mucosa)
why arents erect ab-x-rays no longer part of routine practice
multiple air fluid levels
how can a distended large bowel be classified on AXR
tends to lie in anatomical positon
haustra colii
t/f CT are always used in small bowel obstruction
true
to confirm diagnosis and look for cause
what would be expected to find in a CT scan of small bowel obstructi
promixal to obstruction - distension
distal to obstruction - collapse