NUR 2063 Essentials of
Pathophysiology Exam 2
Review 2022
1.Review common signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders as a whole
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, and constipation.
2.What is gastritis? What are causes?
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Causes: Precipitated by ingestion of irritating substances
► Example: alcohol and aspirin, NSAIDs, viral, bacteria, autoimmune
3.What is GERD? What are causes to this condition? What are complications of GERD if left untreated?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Inflammation caused by reflux of highly acidic material (esophagitis)
►Causes
►Any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal pressure, fatty foods, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoking, pregnancy, anatomic features (ex: hiatal hernia)
►Complications: Barrett esophagus- Structural changes in tissue of esophagus over time (columnar tissue replaced normal squamos epithelial) can increase risk for esophageal cancer
►Progression can lead to ulceration, fibrotic scarring
►Esophageal strictures
►Pulmonary symptoms - cough, asthma, and laryngitis - from reflux in breathing passages
4.Review signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. What is the role of H. pylori in this condition?
►Caused by NSAIDs, stress (glucocorticoids), smoking, genetics ►No relation b/w diet and PUD
►H. pylori plays a key role in promoting both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation ►Thrives in acidic conditions
►Slow rate of ulcer healing
►High rate of recurrence Clearance of H. pylori promotes ulcer healing
►Signs and symptoms- epigastric burning that is usually relieved by the intake of food (especially dairy products) or antacids.
►Pain of gastric ulcers typically occurs on an empty stomach but may present soon after a meal
►Pain of duodenal ulcer classically occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal and is relieved by further food ingestion
►Life threatening complication: GI bleed
►Treatment: treat with antibiotic and then stomach acid with Sucralfate (Carafate)
5.What is pseudomembranous colitis? What contributes to this condition? What are ways that it can be treated?
Antibiotic-Associated Colitis (Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis).
►Acute inflammation and necrosis of large intestine
►Caused by overgrowth of Clostridium difficile c.diff (exposure to antibiotics)
Treatment= Stop current antibiotic (if possible)
►Treat ischemia
►Treat contributing conditions
►Oral antibiotics - metronidazole (flagyl) or vancomycin
►Recurrence common
►Fecal transplant - transfer of fecal material from another healthy person to
the source patient via enema or gastric tube
►Colectomy – removal of portion of colon
6.Review examples of inflammatory bowel conditions.
Ulcerative Colitis
►Chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa of the rectum and colon
►Large ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and rectum
►Hallmark clinical manifestations are bloody diarrhea and lower abdominal pain
Pathophysiology Exam 2
Review 2022
1.Review common signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders as a whole
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, and constipation.
2.What is gastritis? What are causes?
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Causes: Precipitated by ingestion of irritating substances
► Example: alcohol and aspirin, NSAIDs, viral, bacteria, autoimmune
3.What is GERD? What are causes to this condition? What are complications of GERD if left untreated?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Inflammation caused by reflux of highly acidic material (esophagitis)
►Causes
►Any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal pressure, fatty foods, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoking, pregnancy, anatomic features (ex: hiatal hernia)
►Complications: Barrett esophagus- Structural changes in tissue of esophagus over time (columnar tissue replaced normal squamos epithelial) can increase risk for esophageal cancer
►Progression can lead to ulceration, fibrotic scarring
►Esophageal strictures
►Pulmonary symptoms - cough, asthma, and laryngitis - from reflux in breathing passages
4.Review signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. What is the role of H. pylori in this condition?
►Caused by NSAIDs, stress (glucocorticoids), smoking, genetics ►No relation b/w diet and PUD
►H. pylori plays a key role in promoting both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation ►Thrives in acidic conditions
►Slow rate of ulcer healing
►High rate of recurrence Clearance of H. pylori promotes ulcer healing
►Signs and symptoms- epigastric burning that is usually relieved by the intake of food (especially dairy products) or antacids.
►Pain of gastric ulcers typically occurs on an empty stomach but may present soon after a meal
►Pain of duodenal ulcer classically occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal and is relieved by further food ingestion
►Life threatening complication: GI bleed
►Treatment: treat with antibiotic and then stomach acid with Sucralfate (Carafate)
5.What is pseudomembranous colitis? What contributes to this condition? What are ways that it can be treated?
Antibiotic-Associated Colitis (Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis).
►Acute inflammation and necrosis of large intestine
►Caused by overgrowth of Clostridium difficile c.diff (exposure to antibiotics)
Treatment= Stop current antibiotic (if possible)
►Treat ischemia
►Treat contributing conditions
►Oral antibiotics - metronidazole (flagyl) or vancomycin
►Recurrence common
►Fecal transplant - transfer of fecal material from another healthy person to
the source patient via enema or gastric tube
►Colectomy – removal of portion of colon
6.Review examples of inflammatory bowel conditions.
Ulcerative Colitis
►Chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa of the rectum and colon
►Large ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and rectum
►Hallmark clinical manifestations are bloody diarrhea and lower abdominal pain
