Dysphagia:
Difficulty swallowing; associated with lack of gag reflex
Possible causes:
Degenerative neurological diseases
Stroke
Zenker’s diverticulum: weakening of the esophageal wall that forms a pouch that can
collect food and cause obstruction
Schatzki ring: constrictive muscular band of esophageal tissue. A congenital abnormality,
it is often located in the distal esophagus.
Plummer-Vinson syndrome: esophageal membranous webs
Achalasia: esophageal motility disorder
Esophageal stricture
Dysphagia frequently begins with difficulty swallowing solid foods and progresses to the
inability to swallow liquids.
An individual may complain of feeling as though the food gets stuck and frequent
attempts to swallow are necessary for movement of food.
1. Signs and symptoms of upper GI bleed
The presence of bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum is classified as a
UGIB.
The bleeding can occur from a lesion, erosion, ulceration, varicose vein, or tear to the
GI lining
Signs and symptoms:
Hematemesis
Acute large GI bleed → Pallor, Anxiety, Tachycardia, Tachypnea SOB, Dizziness ,
Weakness,
Melena
Slow chronic bleed → Anemia, Fatigue, Lethargy.
Coffee ground” emesis: Blood that has a coffee ground appearance indicates the blood
has mixed with the acid of the stomach.
If bright red blood is apparent, there is current bleeding occurring from a blood vessel.
This is a medical emergency.
Diagnosis:
CBC
Endoscopy
A positive FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST (FOBT) occurs when there is blood in the
stool (melena). For increased accuracy, three tests should be done on three different days.
, 2. Signs and symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis
Irritation to the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine by a pathogen or
toxin.
Etiology: virus, bacteria, parasite, or chemical toxin.
Infection transmitted from person to person or can be a water/foodborne illness
Signs and symptoms:
1) Nausea
2) Vomiting
3) Abdominal cramping
4) Diarrhea
5) Dehydration
6) Hyperactivity of the intestine produces high-pitched bowel sounds = borborygmi.
7) Hyponatremia possible
8) Hypokalemia possible
9) Metabolic acidosis possible
10) Metabolic alkalosis possible
3. Signs and symptoms of Acute Peritonitis
The inflammation of the peritoneal membrane caused by bacterial infection or leakage of
intestinal contents into the peritoneal cavity.
The condition most often occurs when organ rupture → bacteria, bile, acids, or enzymes
into the sterile peritoneal environment → abdominal sepsis
Classic triad of symptoms:
Abdominal pain: occurs with any movement of inflamed tissues. The patient wants to
remain still. * a cough will cause abdominal pain in the patient with peritonitis *
Abdominal rigidity: the patient’s abdominal musculature is contracted in peritonitis.
When palpated, the abdomen is rigid, a sign called involuntary guarding
Rebound tenderness: occurs as the clinician palpates the abdomen ( Blumberg sign)=
(Peritoneal Irritation)
Signs and symptoms for peritonitis
Abdominal pain
Abdominal rigidity
Rebound tenderness
Difficulty swallowing; associated with lack of gag reflex
Possible causes:
Degenerative neurological diseases
Stroke
Zenker’s diverticulum: weakening of the esophageal wall that forms a pouch that can
collect food and cause obstruction
Schatzki ring: constrictive muscular band of esophageal tissue. A congenital abnormality,
it is often located in the distal esophagus.
Plummer-Vinson syndrome: esophageal membranous webs
Achalasia: esophageal motility disorder
Esophageal stricture
Dysphagia frequently begins with difficulty swallowing solid foods and progresses to the
inability to swallow liquids.
An individual may complain of feeling as though the food gets stuck and frequent
attempts to swallow are necessary for movement of food.
1. Signs and symptoms of upper GI bleed
The presence of bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum is classified as a
UGIB.
The bleeding can occur from a lesion, erosion, ulceration, varicose vein, or tear to the
GI lining
Signs and symptoms:
Hematemesis
Acute large GI bleed → Pallor, Anxiety, Tachycardia, Tachypnea SOB, Dizziness ,
Weakness,
Melena
Slow chronic bleed → Anemia, Fatigue, Lethargy.
Coffee ground” emesis: Blood that has a coffee ground appearance indicates the blood
has mixed with the acid of the stomach.
If bright red blood is apparent, there is current bleeding occurring from a blood vessel.
This is a medical emergency.
Diagnosis:
CBC
Endoscopy
A positive FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST (FOBT) occurs when there is blood in the
stool (melena). For increased accuracy, three tests should be done on three different days.
, 2. Signs and symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis
Irritation to the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine by a pathogen or
toxin.
Etiology: virus, bacteria, parasite, or chemical toxin.
Infection transmitted from person to person or can be a water/foodborne illness
Signs and symptoms:
1) Nausea
2) Vomiting
3) Abdominal cramping
4) Diarrhea
5) Dehydration
6) Hyperactivity of the intestine produces high-pitched bowel sounds = borborygmi.
7) Hyponatremia possible
8) Hypokalemia possible
9) Metabolic acidosis possible
10) Metabolic alkalosis possible
3. Signs and symptoms of Acute Peritonitis
The inflammation of the peritoneal membrane caused by bacterial infection or leakage of
intestinal contents into the peritoneal cavity.
The condition most often occurs when organ rupture → bacteria, bile, acids, or enzymes
into the sterile peritoneal environment → abdominal sepsis
Classic triad of symptoms:
Abdominal pain: occurs with any movement of inflamed tissues. The patient wants to
remain still. * a cough will cause abdominal pain in the patient with peritonitis *
Abdominal rigidity: the patient’s abdominal musculature is contracted in peritonitis.
When palpated, the abdomen is rigid, a sign called involuntary guarding
Rebound tenderness: occurs as the clinician palpates the abdomen ( Blumberg sign)=
(Peritoneal Irritation)
Signs and symptoms for peritonitis
Abdominal pain
Abdominal rigidity
Rebound tenderness
