9/14/26, 11:44 AM NR511 Final Exam Flashcards | Quizlet
Clostridium Difficile - infection of the large intestine
- exists in air, water, soil, processed foods, and human feces
- causes profuse, watery, mucoid diarrhea
- certain types can be dangerous of life-threatening if not treated
-Risk factors
> working in healthcare facility
> long duration use of antibiotics that affects normal GI flora
>long-term use of medications that reduce GI acidity
>consumption of contaminated food or water
>long duration hospitalization
> touching infected soil, objects, and surfaces.
- patient may be asymptomatic
- generally profuse, watery, mucoid diarrhea
1. Mild to moderate infection:
> watery diarrhea 3 or more times a day for 2 or more days
> mild abdominal cramping and tenderness
2. severe infection
> watery diarrhea (10-15 stools/day)
> strong foul odor
> acute abdomen secondary to toxic megacolon with perforation
> abdominal distention
> fever
> nausea, vomiting, dehydration requiring hospitalization
Diagnosis:
> CBC, elevated WBC count
> Enzyme-linked immunodeficiency assay (ELISA) identifies toxins that produce C.Diff
bacteria.
> cell cytotoxicity assay: identifies the effects of bacterial toxins on human cells
> polymerase chain reaction (PCR): detects bacterial genes
> Endoscopy: if the patient is unresponsive to treatment, will show
pseudomembranes that suggest c-diff infection
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 3/23
,9/14/26, 11:44 AM NR511 Final Exam Flashcards | Quizlet
Treatment:
> metronidazole
> probiotics: to restore the healthy growth of normal GI bacteria
> colectomy in severe cases
> maintain fluids
> clear liquid diet
> eat starchy foods to prevent diarrhea
> avoid caffeine, spicy foods, milk and greasy foods
> may require GI consult
GERD Pathophysiology Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction: reduced pressure or improper
relaxation allows gastric acid to flow back into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia: contributes to GERD by disrupting the normal barrier between the
esophagus and stomach.
Esophageal motility disorders: impaired esophageal peristalsis and reduces
esophageal clearance can lead to pooling of gastric acid in the esophagus.
acidic acid contents
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 4/23
, 9/14/26, 11:44 AM NR511 Final Exam Flashcards | Quizlet
GERD - symptoms occur at night with regurgitation, heartburn is classic for GERD (mild to
severe). dysphagia is frequently a prominent symptom of GERD. It is usually
associated with other symptoms, including regurgitation, water brash (reflex
salivation), sour taste in the mouth in the morning, odynophagia, belching, coughing,
hoarseness, or wheezing, usually at night.
- if patient has been treated with diet modifications and 6 weeks of omeprazole
without improvement of symptoms, the next step is an endoscopy.
- patients should be instructed to avoid coffee, chocolate, peppermint, and spicy
foods, eat smaller meals, stop smoking, remain upright for 2 hours after meals,
elevate the head of the bed on 6-8 in blocks, and refrain from eating 3 hours before
going to bed.
Peptic Ulcer Disease= Pathophysiology - agressave factors
> H.pylori
> gastric acid hyper secretion
> NSAIDS
>lifestyle factors
-protective mechanisms
> mucus and bicarbonate secretion
> prostaglandins
> mucosal blood flow
> epithet cell renewal
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 5/23
Clostridium Difficile - infection of the large intestine
- exists in air, water, soil, processed foods, and human feces
- causes profuse, watery, mucoid diarrhea
- certain types can be dangerous of life-threatening if not treated
-Risk factors
> working in healthcare facility
> long duration use of antibiotics that affects normal GI flora
>long-term use of medications that reduce GI acidity
>consumption of contaminated food or water
>long duration hospitalization
> touching infected soil, objects, and surfaces.
- patient may be asymptomatic
- generally profuse, watery, mucoid diarrhea
1. Mild to moderate infection:
> watery diarrhea 3 or more times a day for 2 or more days
> mild abdominal cramping and tenderness
2. severe infection
> watery diarrhea (10-15 stools/day)
> strong foul odor
> acute abdomen secondary to toxic megacolon with perforation
> abdominal distention
> fever
> nausea, vomiting, dehydration requiring hospitalization
Diagnosis:
> CBC, elevated WBC count
> Enzyme-linked immunodeficiency assay (ELISA) identifies toxins that produce C.Diff
bacteria.
> cell cytotoxicity assay: identifies the effects of bacterial toxins on human cells
> polymerase chain reaction (PCR): detects bacterial genes
> Endoscopy: if the patient is unresponsive to treatment, will show
pseudomembranes that suggest c-diff infection
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 3/23
,9/14/26, 11:44 AM NR511 Final Exam Flashcards | Quizlet
Treatment:
> metronidazole
> probiotics: to restore the healthy growth of normal GI bacteria
> colectomy in severe cases
> maintain fluids
> clear liquid diet
> eat starchy foods to prevent diarrhea
> avoid caffeine, spicy foods, milk and greasy foods
> may require GI consult
GERD Pathophysiology Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction: reduced pressure or improper
relaxation allows gastric acid to flow back into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia: contributes to GERD by disrupting the normal barrier between the
esophagus and stomach.
Esophageal motility disorders: impaired esophageal peristalsis and reduces
esophageal clearance can lead to pooling of gastric acid in the esophagus.
acidic acid contents
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 4/23
, 9/14/26, 11:44 AM NR511 Final Exam Flashcards | Quizlet
GERD - symptoms occur at night with regurgitation, heartburn is classic for GERD (mild to
severe). dysphagia is frequently a prominent symptom of GERD. It is usually
associated with other symptoms, including regurgitation, water brash (reflex
salivation), sour taste in the mouth in the morning, odynophagia, belching, coughing,
hoarseness, or wheezing, usually at night.
- if patient has been treated with diet modifications and 6 weeks of omeprazole
without improvement of symptoms, the next step is an endoscopy.
- patients should be instructed to avoid coffee, chocolate, peppermint, and spicy
foods, eat smaller meals, stop smoking, remain upright for 2 hours after meals,
elevate the head of the bed on 6-8 in blocks, and refrain from eating 3 hours before
going to bed.
Peptic Ulcer Disease= Pathophysiology - agressave factors
> H.pylori
> gastric acid hyper secretion
> NSAIDS
>lifestyle factors
-protective mechanisms
> mucus and bicarbonate secretion
> prostaglandins
> mucosal blood flow
> epithet cell renewal
https://quizlet.com/819701861/nr511-final-exam-flash-cards/ 5/23
