What is gastritis? - ANSWER Inflammation of the stomach lining. The lining will be red
and inflamed and irritated
What are the causes of gastritis? - ANSWER Ingestion of irritating substances such a alco-
hol, aspirin, NSAIDS, viruses and bacteria
What is GERD? - ANSWER the back flow of gastric contents into the esophagus through
the lower esophageal sphincter. The inflammation occurs from the reflex of highly acidic
stomach acid that comes up.
What are the causes of GERD? - ANSWER Any condition or agent that alters closure of
the lower esophageal sphincter or increases in abdominal pressure, fatty food, caffeine,
large amounts of alcohol, smoking, pregnancy and anatomical features like hiatal hernia
What are complications of GERD? - ANSWER Barrett's esophagus where columnar tissue
replaces normal squamous tissue in the distal esophagus that carries a high risk for cancer.
Progression can lead to ulcers and scarring. Esophageal strictures, pulmonary symptoms
such as cough, asthma and laryngitis from reflux in breathing passages.
What are the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease? - ANSWER epigastric burning
pain that is usually relieved by food or antacids (gastric ulcers present on empty stomach but
can be after food, duodenal ulcers present 2-3 hours after food and is relieved by food). Can
also be life threatening as GI bleeding can occur without warning and cause a drop in H/H
and dark tarry stools and hematemesis.
What is the role of H.pylori in peptic ulcer disease? - ANSWER promotes both gastric and
duodenal ulcer formation and thrives in acidic areas. It slows down ulcer healing and can re-
occur frequently, and taking it away can help ulcers heal.
1
,What is pseudomembranous colitis?(C.diff) - ANSWER acute inflammation and necrosis
of large intestine. The intestinal lining cannot absorb well.
What is the cause of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER clostridium difficile, expo-
sure to long term antibiotics that off set the e.coli and c.diff balance in intestine
What are the manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER foul smell-
ing/bloody stool, abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic perforation.
How do we treat pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER stop current antibiotics, treat
ischemia and contributing conditions, give oral antibiotics like metronidazole or vancomycin,
fecal transplant or colectomy if severe
How do we prevent the spread of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER wearing appro-
priate PPE and washing hands with soap and water only
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis? - ANSWER Periumbilical pain, RLQ
pain, presence of a positive McBurneys point with pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea,
RLQ tenderness, systemic signs of infection
How do we assess for appendicitis? - ANSWER McBurney's point technique when press-
ing on the belly button and RLQ hip region and removing the pressure causes intense pain,
indicates positive appendicitis
What are the causes of bowel obstructions? - ANSWER previous surgery of the intestines
with adhesions, congenital abnormalities of the bowel, metastatic cancer of the intestinal
tract or female reproductive organs, accumulation of fluid, gas, water and electrolytes in the
bowel.
2
, What is a functional bowel obstruction? - ANSWER a problem with the act of the bowel
actually moving, such as things that inhibit movement from surgery, medications, opioids,
low fiber diets that can slow motility or shut off the GI system from the SNS stimulation.
What is a mechanical bowel obstruction? - ANSWER due to adhesions, hernia, tumors,
impacted feces, volvus or twisting of the intestines, intussusception
What are the signs and symptoms of liver disease? - ANSWER hepatocellular failure
(jaundice, decreased clotting, hypoalbuminemia, decreased vitamin D and K) and portal hy-
pertension (GI congestion due to blockage of blood, more esophageal or gastric varies, hem-
orrhoids, enlarged spleen,)
Explain what jaundice is? - ANSWER green- yellow staining of tissues from increased level
of bilirubin as the liver cannot metabolize extra bilirubin
Where can you find jaundice on assessment? - ANSWER eyes, skin, and mouth
Explain what ascites is? - ANSWER pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity due to the loss of albumin in the liver, causing fluid to be free amongst the cells. It can
cause a lot of pain in the abdomen, and it must be drained with a parenthesis
Explain hepatic encephalopathy? - ANSWER neuropsychiatric syndrome from too much
ammonia in the blood as the liver cannot break it down. results in dementia and psychotic
symptoms common along with jerking
What is another name for end stage liver disease? - ANSWER cirrhosis
What are the signs and symptoms of gallstones? - ANSWER sudden pain in the RUQ/ cen-
ter of the abdomen, back pain, and nauseas and vomiting.
3
and inflamed and irritated
What are the causes of gastritis? - ANSWER Ingestion of irritating substances such a alco-
hol, aspirin, NSAIDS, viruses and bacteria
What is GERD? - ANSWER the back flow of gastric contents into the esophagus through
the lower esophageal sphincter. The inflammation occurs from the reflex of highly acidic
stomach acid that comes up.
What are the causes of GERD? - ANSWER Any condition or agent that alters closure of
the lower esophageal sphincter or increases in abdominal pressure, fatty food, caffeine,
large amounts of alcohol, smoking, pregnancy and anatomical features like hiatal hernia
What are complications of GERD? - ANSWER Barrett's esophagus where columnar tissue
replaces normal squamous tissue in the distal esophagus that carries a high risk for cancer.
Progression can lead to ulcers and scarring. Esophageal strictures, pulmonary symptoms
such as cough, asthma and laryngitis from reflux in breathing passages.
What are the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease? - ANSWER epigastric burning
pain that is usually relieved by food or antacids (gastric ulcers present on empty stomach but
can be after food, duodenal ulcers present 2-3 hours after food and is relieved by food). Can
also be life threatening as GI bleeding can occur without warning and cause a drop in H/H
and dark tarry stools and hematemesis.
What is the role of H.pylori in peptic ulcer disease? - ANSWER promotes both gastric and
duodenal ulcer formation and thrives in acidic areas. It slows down ulcer healing and can re-
occur frequently, and taking it away can help ulcers heal.
1
,What is pseudomembranous colitis?(C.diff) - ANSWER acute inflammation and necrosis
of large intestine. The intestinal lining cannot absorb well.
What is the cause of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER clostridium difficile, expo-
sure to long term antibiotics that off set the e.coli and c.diff balance in intestine
What are the manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER foul smell-
ing/bloody stool, abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis, sepsis, colonic perforation.
How do we treat pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER stop current antibiotics, treat
ischemia and contributing conditions, give oral antibiotics like metronidazole or vancomycin,
fecal transplant or colectomy if severe
How do we prevent the spread of pseudomembranous colitis? - ANSWER wearing appro-
priate PPE and washing hands with soap and water only
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis? - ANSWER Periumbilical pain, RLQ
pain, presence of a positive McBurneys point with pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea,
RLQ tenderness, systemic signs of infection
How do we assess for appendicitis? - ANSWER McBurney's point technique when press-
ing on the belly button and RLQ hip region and removing the pressure causes intense pain,
indicates positive appendicitis
What are the causes of bowel obstructions? - ANSWER previous surgery of the intestines
with adhesions, congenital abnormalities of the bowel, metastatic cancer of the intestinal
tract or female reproductive organs, accumulation of fluid, gas, water and electrolytes in the
bowel.
2
, What is a functional bowel obstruction? - ANSWER a problem with the act of the bowel
actually moving, such as things that inhibit movement from surgery, medications, opioids,
low fiber diets that can slow motility or shut off the GI system from the SNS stimulation.
What is a mechanical bowel obstruction? - ANSWER due to adhesions, hernia, tumors,
impacted feces, volvus or twisting of the intestines, intussusception
What are the signs and symptoms of liver disease? - ANSWER hepatocellular failure
(jaundice, decreased clotting, hypoalbuminemia, decreased vitamin D and K) and portal hy-
pertension (GI congestion due to blockage of blood, more esophageal or gastric varies, hem-
orrhoids, enlarged spleen,)
Explain what jaundice is? - ANSWER green- yellow staining of tissues from increased level
of bilirubin as the liver cannot metabolize extra bilirubin
Where can you find jaundice on assessment? - ANSWER eyes, skin, and mouth
Explain what ascites is? - ANSWER pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity due to the loss of albumin in the liver, causing fluid to be free amongst the cells. It can
cause a lot of pain in the abdomen, and it must be drained with a parenthesis
Explain hepatic encephalopathy? - ANSWER neuropsychiatric syndrome from too much
ammonia in the blood as the liver cannot break it down. results in dementia and psychotic
symptoms common along with jerking
What is another name for end stage liver disease? - ANSWER cirrhosis
What are the signs and symptoms of gallstones? - ANSWER sudden pain in the RUQ/ cen-
ter of the abdomen, back pain, and nauseas and vomiting.
3
