COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Stomatitis. Answer: Inflammation of the oral mucosa, frequently
due to infection, medications, or autoimmune disease. May involve
painful ulcers.
◉ Oral candidiasis (thrush). Answer: A fungal infection from
Candida albicans that appears as creamy white plaques, leaving a
red base when wiped. Common in immunocompromised patients or
after antibiotic use.
◉ Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Answer: Chronic
backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing mucosal
injury.
- causes: weak or incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES),
increased intra-abdominal pressure, hiatal hernia, and smoking and
high-fat diets.
- S/S: pyrosis (heartburn), regurgitation, dysphagia, chronic cough
or hoarseness.
◉ Esophageal Cancer. Answer: Cancer of the esophagus.
,- risk factors: smoking, alcohol, chronic GERD (especially Barrett's
esophagus), obesity.
- S/S: dysphagia, weight loss, persistent cough.
◉ Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Answer: Open sores in the mucosa of
the stomach or duodenum; caused by disruption of mucosal defense,
allowing acid and pepsin to erode the epithelium.
- causes: H. pylori infection, chronic NSAID use, stress-related
mucosal damage.
- two types: gastric and duodenal ulcers.
◉ Gastric Ulcers. Answer: Ulcers that form in the stomach lining;
pain worsened with food.
◉ Duodenal Ulcers. Answer: Ulcers that form in the duodenum; pain
relieved with food.
◉ Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers. Answer: Squamous cell
carcinomas of the oral and oropharyngeal cavities.
- risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, HPV.
- S/S: non-healing mouth sores, dysphagia, weight loss.
◉ Gastric Cancer. Answer: Cancer of the stomach often diagnosed
late.
, - causes: H. pylori infection, smoking, pernicious anemia, diets high
in salted/smoked foods.
- S/S: early satiety, weight loss, epigastric pain, fatigue.
◉ Malnutrition. Answer: Lack of proper nutrition.
- causes: inadequate intake, malabsorption, chronic illness.
- S/S: muscular atrophy, weight loss, dry skin, brittle nails.
◉ Obesity. Answer: BMI >30.
◉ Modifiable Risk Factors. Answer: Behaviors or exposures that can
be changed through education, lifestyle change, or medical
intervention.
◉ Non-Modifiable Risk Factors. Answer: Risk factors that cannot be
changed but guide clinical vigilance and patient education.
◉ Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Answer: Direct
visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a
flexible scope.
- Indications: Persistent heartburn, dysphagia, nausea, unexplained
weight loss, suspected ulcer or tumor.