Nurs 3366 - Disorders of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum

What is RUQ?

right upper quadrant

• liver & gall bladder; part of pancreas, part of transverse colon

What is LUQ?

left upper quadrant

• part of stomach, spleen, part of transverse colon

What is RLQ?

right lower quadrant

• cecum & appendix, part of ascending colon

What is LLQ?

left lower quadrant

• part of descending colon, sigmoid colon

• umbilical region, lower duodenum, jejunum, ileum

What is gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)?

reflux of HCL (hydrochloric acid) and pepsin from the stomach into the esophagus

• due to a relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or delayed emptying of the stomach

What are the S&S of gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)?

symptoms of heartburn, epigastric pain, coughing, within 1 hour of eating

• S&S worsen when lying down, aggravated by ETOH, coffee, and smoking

What is Barrett’s esophagus?

relatively uncommon disorder almost always caused by GERD

• certain areas in esophagus tissue become dysplastic-- if left untreated can lead to esophageal cancer

What is Hiatal hernia?

herniation of the stomach through the diaphragm so that it protrudes into the thoracic cavity

What is Gastritis?

inflammation that affects gastric mucosa and can cause erosions

• S&S include pain or burning over epigastric area, and occasionally bleeding

acute or chronic

What is Acute gastritis?

usually results from use of overuse of NSAIDS (suppress protective prostaglandins) or ETOH (direct chemical damage).

• heals spontaneously once the offending agent is removed

What is Chronic gastritis?

AKA atrophic gastritis - thought to be autoimmune etiology

• occurs mainly in the elderly and causes an atrophy of the gastric mucosa.

• as a result of the atrophy they develop pernicious anemia because of the loss of intrinsic factor

What is peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

chronic inflammatory condition of stomach & duodenum in which disturbance of their mucosal lining allows acid to ulcerate the underlying tissue, causing

• gastric and/ or duodenal ulcers

What are the causes of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

• ASA & other NSAID use; chronic steroid use (decrease synthesis of prostaglandins, which have protective effect on stomach lining)

• cigarette smoking (thought to stimulate HCl secretion & decrease blood flow to tissue in the area)

• most patients diagnosed with PUD are also positive for an organism called H. Pylori - disrupt the mucous layer of stomach, & attach to surface epithelial cells

What are the treatments of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

treated by antacids, H2-blockers (Zantac, Pepcid), PPIs (proton pump inhibitors—Nexium, Prevacid), & eradication of H. pylori with antibiotic regimen