1
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
GI disorders
• Dysphagia Difficulty swallowing
o Causes Nero disease: Parkinson’s, dementias, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s, ALS, MN,
Guillain Barre Syndrome. Other: Congenital issues/cerebral palsy, Esophageal stenosis,
esophageal diverticula, tumors, stroke, achalasia
• Vomiting – why and consequences Why: protect against substance, reverse peristalsis, increase
intracranial pressure, severe pain. Consequences: lead to fluid, electrolyte, pH imbalance,
aspiration
o Emesis types and why the emesis would be a problem Hematemesis: blood in vomit (protein),
Yellow/green: presence of bile. Deep brown: fecal matter. Undigested food
o Treatment of vomiting disorders Antiemetic med., fluid replacement, correct
electrolyte imbalance, restore acid-base
o Gastritis/gastroenteritis
▪ Acute: Can be mild, transient irritation or can be severe ulceration with hemorrhage
▪ Usually develops suddenly
▪ Likely to also have nausea & epigastric pain
▪ Chronic: Develops gradually
▪ May be asymptomatic but usually accompanied by dull epigastric pain and a sensation of
fullness after minimal intake
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
, 2
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
▪ Complications: peptic ulcer; gastric cancer; hemorrhage
▪ H. pylori: Most common cause of chronic gastritis
▪ Bacteria embeds in mucous layer; activates toxins & enzymes that cause inflammation
▪ Genetic vulnerability & lifestyle behaviors (smoking, stress) may increase susceptible
▪ Other causes: Organisms through food/water contamination, LT NSAID use,
Excess alcohol use, Severe stress, Autoimmune conditions
▪ Manifestations of GI bleeding: Indigestion; heart burn, Epigastric pain; abdominal
cramping, N/V; anorexia, Fever; malaise, Hematemesis, Dark, tarry stools = ulceration
& bleeding
• Esophageal disorders
o Hiatal hernia Stomach section protrudes through diaphragm
▪ Causes: Weakening of diaphragm muscle, trauma, congenital defects.
▪ Manifestation: Indigestion; heartburn; frequent belching; nausea; chest pain;
strictures; dysphagia; and soft abdominal mass
▪ diagnosis: H & P; barium swallow; upper GI Xrays; EGD ,
▪ treatment: eat small meals, sleep elevated, antacid
o GERD
▪ Causes: Certain foods: chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus fruit,
tomatoes, spicy or fatty foods, peppermint
▪ Alcohol consumption; nicotine
▪ Hiatal hernia
▪ Obesity; pregnancy
▪ Certain medications – such as corticosteroids; beta blockers; calcium-channel
blockers; anticholinergics
▪ NG intubation
▪ Delayed gastric emptying
▪ Manifestations: Heartburn, Epigastric pain, Dysphagia, Dry cough,
Laryngitis Pharyngitis, Food regurgitation, Sensation of lump in throat
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
, 3
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
▪ Diagnosis: H & P; barium swallow; EGD; esophageal pH monitoring
▪ Treatments: Avoid triggers; avoid restrictive clothing
▪ Eat small frequent meals; high Fowler’s positioning, Weight loss; stress reduction;
Antacids; acid reducing agent; mucosal barrier agents, Herbal therapies (licorice,
chamomile), Surgery
▪ Complications: Esophagitis; strictures; ulcerations; esophageal cancer;
chronic pulmonary disease
• GI tract disorders
o Peptic ulcer disease
▪ Duodenal: Most commonly associated with excess acid or H.pylori infections,
Typically present with epigastric pain relieved by food
▪ Gastric: Less frequent; more deadly, Typically associated with malignancy and
NSAIDs, Pain worsens with food
▪ Symptoms
▪ Curling’s ulcer from what: associated with burns
▪ Cushing’s ulcer from what: associated with head injuries
▪ Complications of ulcers: GI hemorrhage; obstruction; perforation; peritonitis
▪ Manifestations: Epigastric or abdominal pain, Abdominal cramping,
Heartburn; indigestion, N/V
▪ Diagnosis: same as gastritis
▪ Treatment: Same as for gastritis, Surgical repair may be necessary for perforated
or bleeding ulcers, Prevention is crucial – may need prophylactic medications (ex:
acid-
reducers) for at-risk clients
o Gallbladder disorders
▪ Cholelithiasis: Gallbladder stones
▪ Cholecystitis: Inflammation or infection in the biliary system caused by calculi
▪ Manifestations: Biliary colic; abdominal distension; N/V; jaundice; fever; leukocytosis
▪ Diagnosis: H & P; abdominal Xray; gallbladder US; laparoscopy
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
GI disorders
• Dysphagia Difficulty swallowing
o Causes Nero disease: Parkinson’s, dementias, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s, ALS, MN,
Guillain Barre Syndrome. Other: Congenital issues/cerebral palsy, Esophageal stenosis,
esophageal diverticula, tumors, stroke, achalasia
• Vomiting – why and consequences Why: protect against substance, reverse peristalsis, increase
intracranial pressure, severe pain. Consequences: lead to fluid, electrolyte, pH imbalance,
aspiration
o Emesis types and why the emesis would be a problem Hematemesis: blood in vomit (protein),
Yellow/green: presence of bile. Deep brown: fecal matter. Undigested food
o Treatment of vomiting disorders Antiemetic med., fluid replacement, correct
electrolyte imbalance, restore acid-base
o Gastritis/gastroenteritis
▪ Acute: Can be mild, transient irritation or can be severe ulceration with hemorrhage
▪ Usually develops suddenly
▪ Likely to also have nausea & epigastric pain
▪ Chronic: Develops gradually
▪ May be asymptomatic but usually accompanied by dull epigastric pain and a sensation of
fullness after minimal intake
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
, 2
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
▪ Complications: peptic ulcer; gastric cancer; hemorrhage
▪ H. pylori: Most common cause of chronic gastritis
▪ Bacteria embeds in mucous layer; activates toxins & enzymes that cause inflammation
▪ Genetic vulnerability & lifestyle behaviors (smoking, stress) may increase susceptible
▪ Other causes: Organisms through food/water contamination, LT NSAID use,
Excess alcohol use, Severe stress, Autoimmune conditions
▪ Manifestations of GI bleeding: Indigestion; heart burn, Epigastric pain; abdominal
cramping, N/V; anorexia, Fever; malaise, Hematemesis, Dark, tarry stools = ulceration
& bleeding
• Esophageal disorders
o Hiatal hernia Stomach section protrudes through diaphragm
▪ Causes: Weakening of diaphragm muscle, trauma, congenital defects.
▪ Manifestation: Indigestion; heartburn; frequent belching; nausea; chest pain;
strictures; dysphagia; and soft abdominal mass
▪ diagnosis: H & P; barium swallow; upper GI Xrays; EGD ,
▪ treatment: eat small meals, sleep elevated, antacid
o GERD
▪ Causes: Certain foods: chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus fruit,
tomatoes, spicy or fatty foods, peppermint
▪ Alcohol consumption; nicotine
▪ Hiatal hernia
▪ Obesity; pregnancy
▪ Certain medications – such as corticosteroids; beta blockers; calcium-channel
blockers; anticholinergics
▪ NG intubation
▪ Delayed gastric emptying
▪ Manifestations: Heartburn, Epigastric pain, Dysphagia, Dry cough,
Laryngitis Pharyngitis, Food regurgitation, Sensation of lump in throat
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
, 3
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
▪ Diagnosis: H & P; barium swallow; EGD; esophageal pH monitoring
▪ Treatments: Avoid triggers; avoid restrictive clothing
▪ Eat small frequent meals; high Fowler’s positioning, Weight loss; stress reduction;
Antacids; acid reducing agent; mucosal barrier agents, Herbal therapies (licorice,
chamomile), Surgery
▪ Complications: Esophagitis; strictures; ulcerations; esophageal cancer;
chronic pulmonary disease
• GI tract disorders
o Peptic ulcer disease
▪ Duodenal: Most commonly associated with excess acid or H.pylori infections,
Typically present with epigastric pain relieved by food
▪ Gastric: Less frequent; more deadly, Typically associated with malignancy and
NSAIDs, Pain worsens with food
▪ Symptoms
▪ Curling’s ulcer from what: associated with burns
▪ Cushing’s ulcer from what: associated with head injuries
▪ Complications of ulcers: GI hemorrhage; obstruction; perforation; peritonitis
▪ Manifestations: Epigastric or abdominal pain, Abdominal cramping,
Heartburn; indigestion, N/V
▪ Diagnosis: same as gastritis
▪ Treatment: Same as for gastritis, Surgical repair may be necessary for perforated
or bleeding ulcers, Prevention is crucial – may need prophylactic medications (ex:
acid-
reducers) for at-risk clients
o Gallbladder disorders
▪ Cholelithiasis: Gallbladder stones
▪ Cholecystitis: Inflammation or infection in the biliary system caused by calculi
▪ Manifestations: Biliary colic; abdominal distension; N/V; jaundice; fever; leukocytosis
▪ Diagnosis: H & P; abdominal Xray; gallbladder US; laparoscopy
Summary NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam
2 Blueprint (Latest ) Rasmussen
