EXAM 3 - Gastrointestinal
Functions of the gastrointestinal system: - ANSWERDigestion, absorption, elimination
Movement of food through the GI tract (except for chewing, swallowing, and defecation) is controlled by: -
ANSWERHormones and the autonomic nervous system
Accessory GI organs - ANSWERSalivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Anorexia - ANSWERLoss of appetite. May precede N/V
Appetite is controlled by: - ANSWERThe brain and influences by factors such as hunger and smell
Loss of appetite may be influences by: - ANSWERFear, depression, frustration, anxiety, drugs, disease
Nausea - ANSWERSubjective finding accompanied by watery salivation, vasoconstriction with pallor, sweating,
and tachycardia. May serve as warning sign of pathologic process. Usually precedes vomiting.
Emesis - ANSWERVomiting. Forceful emptying/expulsion of GI stomach/intestines through the mouth.
Protective mechanism. May be precipitated by medications. Involves two medullary centers: vomiting center
& chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
Two medullary centers involved in vomiting - ANSWERVomiting center & chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
Constipation - ANSWERInfrequent or difficulty with defecation. Bowel habits differ for everyone. Caused by:
aging, failure to eliminate upon urge, decrease in fluids, diet, hypothyroidism, medications, neurologic
disorders, sedentary lifestyle.
Diarrhea - ANSWERFrequent watery stools. May be acute or chronic. Caused by: food intolerance, intestinal
disorders, medications, microorganisms
, Large volume diarrhea - ANSWERVolume of feces is increased
Small volume diarrhea - ANSWERVolume of feces is unchanged
Abdominal pain - ANSWERCommon & vague complaint. Typically of mechanical, inflammatory, or ischemic
origin. Nerve endings in GI tract are sensitive to stretching & distention.
Peritonitis - ANSWERInflammation of the peritoneal cavity due to perforation. VERY SERIOUS CONDITION.
Gastrointestinal bleeding - ANSWERMay be venous or arterial. Can have significant blood loss. High risk of
hypovolemic shock. Life threatening.
Upper GI bleed - ANSWERMost common. Located in duodenum & UP (esophagus, stomach, duodenum).
Increased mortality in people with chronic diseases
Manifestations of UPPER GI BLEED - ANSWERVOMITING. Decreased H&H, hypotension/FVD, hematemesis
(BRIGHT RED BLOOD=ESOPHAGUS) (COFFEE GROUND EMESIS=STOMACH). Could cause blood in stool.
Hematemesis - ANSWERBlood in vomit
Lower GI bleed - ANSWERJejunum & DOWN (Intestines, jejunum)
Manifestations of LOWER GI BLEED - ANSWERDecreased H&H, hypotension/FVD, RECTAL BLEEDING.
Hematochezia (bright red bloody stools), Maroon stools, melena (black tarry stool).
Hematochezia - ANSWERBright red bloody stools
Melena - ANSWERBlack tarry stools; has distinct odor
Peristalsis - ANSWERAdvancement of food through the GI tract by waves of smooth muscles
Dysphagia - ANSWERDifficulty swallowing
Functions of the gastrointestinal system: - ANSWERDigestion, absorption, elimination
Movement of food through the GI tract (except for chewing, swallowing, and defecation) is controlled by: -
ANSWERHormones and the autonomic nervous system
Accessory GI organs - ANSWERSalivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Anorexia - ANSWERLoss of appetite. May precede N/V
Appetite is controlled by: - ANSWERThe brain and influences by factors such as hunger and smell
Loss of appetite may be influences by: - ANSWERFear, depression, frustration, anxiety, drugs, disease
Nausea - ANSWERSubjective finding accompanied by watery salivation, vasoconstriction with pallor, sweating,
and tachycardia. May serve as warning sign of pathologic process. Usually precedes vomiting.
Emesis - ANSWERVomiting. Forceful emptying/expulsion of GI stomach/intestines through the mouth.
Protective mechanism. May be precipitated by medications. Involves two medullary centers: vomiting center
& chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
Two medullary centers involved in vomiting - ANSWERVomiting center & chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
Constipation - ANSWERInfrequent or difficulty with defecation. Bowel habits differ for everyone. Caused by:
aging, failure to eliminate upon urge, decrease in fluids, diet, hypothyroidism, medications, neurologic
disorders, sedentary lifestyle.
Diarrhea - ANSWERFrequent watery stools. May be acute or chronic. Caused by: food intolerance, intestinal
disorders, medications, microorganisms
, Large volume diarrhea - ANSWERVolume of feces is increased
Small volume diarrhea - ANSWERVolume of feces is unchanged
Abdominal pain - ANSWERCommon & vague complaint. Typically of mechanical, inflammatory, or ischemic
origin. Nerve endings in GI tract are sensitive to stretching & distention.
Peritonitis - ANSWERInflammation of the peritoneal cavity due to perforation. VERY SERIOUS CONDITION.
Gastrointestinal bleeding - ANSWERMay be venous or arterial. Can have significant blood loss. High risk of
hypovolemic shock. Life threatening.
Upper GI bleed - ANSWERMost common. Located in duodenum & UP (esophagus, stomach, duodenum).
Increased mortality in people with chronic diseases
Manifestations of UPPER GI BLEED - ANSWERVOMITING. Decreased H&H, hypotension/FVD, hematemesis
(BRIGHT RED BLOOD=ESOPHAGUS) (COFFEE GROUND EMESIS=STOMACH). Could cause blood in stool.
Hematemesis - ANSWERBlood in vomit
Lower GI bleed - ANSWERJejunum & DOWN (Intestines, jejunum)
Manifestations of LOWER GI BLEED - ANSWERDecreased H&H, hypotension/FVD, RECTAL BLEEDING.
Hematochezia (bright red bloody stools), Maroon stools, melena (black tarry stool).
Hematochezia - ANSWERBright red bloody stools
Melena - ANSWERBlack tarry stools; has distinct odor
Peristalsis - ANSWERAdvancement of food through the GI tract by waves of smooth muscles
Dysphagia - ANSWERDifficulty swallowing
