HCB GI GU Exam
Colic - answersan attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often
caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
Hematemesis - answersvomiting blood
Hematochezia - answerspassage of blood in the feces
Ileus - answersobstruction of the bowel; functional obstruction of the GI tract and
especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis; usually
accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting;
typically occurs following abdominal surgery
Melena - answersdark tarry stools containing decomposing blood that is usually an
indication of bleeding in the upper part of the digestive tract
Mechanical digestion - answersfood enters the mouth first and is broken down by both
saliva and chewing
Chemical digestion - answersbegins in the esophagus where it is transported to the
stomach where it is broken down
Liver - answersproduces bile that breaks down fats*; detoxifies harmful substances,
stores sugar, and assists in the production of blood products, and the storage of several
vitamins and iron
Spleen - answersfilters out older blood cells and manufactures white blood cells
(lymphocytes and monocytes)
Where should you be positioned before inspecting the abdomen? - answersin a seated
position on the patient's right side
Cullen sign - answersbluish periumbilical discoloration that suggests intra-abdominal
bleeding
Contour - answersabdominal profile from the rib margin to the pubis viewed on the
horizontal plane
McBurney's point - answersabove the appendix; located one third of the distance from
the iliac crest to the umbilicus
Colic - answersan attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often
caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
Hematemesis - answersvomiting blood
Hematochezia - answerspassage of blood in the feces
Ileus - answersobstruction of the bowel; functional obstruction of the GI tract and
especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis; usually
accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes nausea and vomiting;
typically occurs following abdominal surgery
Melena - answersdark tarry stools containing decomposing blood that is usually an
indication of bleeding in the upper part of the digestive tract
Mechanical digestion - answersfood enters the mouth first and is broken down by both
saliva and chewing
Chemical digestion - answersbegins in the esophagus where it is transported to the
stomach where it is broken down
Liver - answersproduces bile that breaks down fats*; detoxifies harmful substances,
stores sugar, and assists in the production of blood products, and the storage of several
vitamins and iron
Spleen - answersfilters out older blood cells and manufactures white blood cells
(lymphocytes and monocytes)
Where should you be positioned before inspecting the abdomen? - answersin a seated
position on the patient's right side
Cullen sign - answersbluish periumbilical discoloration that suggests intra-abdominal
bleeding
Contour - answersabdominal profile from the rib margin to the pubis viewed on the
horizontal plane
McBurney's point - answersabove the appendix; located one third of the distance from
the iliac crest to the umbilicus
