NURS 6550 Midterm Exam Study Guide
Gastrointestinal System
Evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and complications
o Dyspepsia: acute, chronic, or recurrent pain in the upper
abdomen
Etiology:
1. Food or drug intolerance, functional with no obvious
cause, luminal GI tract dysfunction, H-pylori
infection, pancreatic disease, biliary tract disease or
other conditions such as DM, thyroid disease, CKD,
pregnancy or gastrointestinal ischemia.
Symptoms:
1. Epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness,
bloating, nausea or vomiting
2. If there is weight loss, persistent vomiting, severe
pain or hematemesis then endoscopy warranted.
Labs:
1. >50 years – CBC, BMP, LFT, calcium and thyroid
function tests
2. <50 years with uncomplicated dyspepsia use
noninvasive strategies 1st; H-pylori fecal test
Upper Endoscopy:
1. Use for pts over the age of 50 who have new
dyspepsia associated with weight loss, dysphagia,
recurrent vomiting, bleeding or anemia.
Other tests:
1. Patient with persistent symptoms or progressive
weight loss, check for celiac disease, stool for
Gastrointestinal System
Evaluation, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and complications
o Dyspepsia: acute, chronic, or recurrent pain in the upper
abdomen
Etiology:
1. Food or drug intolerance, functional with no obvious
cause, luminal GI tract dysfunction, H-pylori
infection, pancreatic disease, biliary tract disease or
other conditions such as DM, thyroid disease, CKD,
pregnancy or gastrointestinal ischemia.
Symptoms:
1. Epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness,
bloating, nausea or vomiting
2. If there is weight loss, persistent vomiting, severe
pain or hematemesis then endoscopy warranted.
Labs:
1. >50 years – CBC, BMP, LFT, calcium and thyroid
function tests
2. <50 years with uncomplicated dyspepsia use
noninvasive strategies 1st; H-pylori fecal test
Upper Endoscopy:
1. Use for pts over the age of 50 who have new
dyspepsia associated with weight loss, dysphagia,
recurrent vomiting, bleeding or anemia.
Other tests:
1. Patient with persistent symptoms or progressive
weight loss, check for celiac disease, stool for
