Medical Surgical Nursing Gastrointestinal Disorders Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering gastrointestinal disorders, clinical manifestations, dietary interventions, and surgical procedures based on the Medical Surgical Nursing refresher lecture.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Dis. (GERD)

A condition characterized by the backflow of gastric contents, such as food and HCL acid, towards the esophagus.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)

A muscle that prevents the backflow of food from the stomach to the esophagus; weakness leads to irritation and GERD.

Dyspepsia

A clinical manifestation of GERD, often described as “di natunawan,” which includes nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and distention.

Pyrosis

Heartburn that typically occurs after a meal or at night while lying down.

Globus

A clinical manifestation of GERD characterized by a feeling of fullness at the back of the throat.

Odynophagia

Painful swallowing occurring when food comes into contact with an HCL-induced trauma or wound in the esophagus.

5 CAFPS

A mnemonic for GI irritants to avoid: Coffee, Citrus (including tomato), Chocolate, Cigarette, and Carbonated beverages.

Hiatal Hernia

Also known as “Diaphragmatic Hernia,” it is an abnormal protrusion of the stomach (fundus) through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm.

Sliding Hernia

A type of hiatal hernia where the stomach moves up through the hiatus, often leading to reflux and symptoms of GERD.

Rolling (Paraesophageal) Hernia

A type of hiatal hernia where food enters the herniated portion of the stomach, causing a feeling of fullness.

Fundoplication

A surgical procedure done to reinforce or “pasikipin” the LES to prevent reflux.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Erosion of the gastrointestinal tract caused by increased HCL acid or a decreased mucus barrier.

Gastric Ulcer

Also known as “Poor man’s” or “laborer’s ulcer,” common in individuals $50$ years or older, characterized by malnutrition and pain $1/2$ to $1$ hour after meals.

Duodenal Ulcer

Also known as “Executive Ulcer,” common in ages $25-50$, characterized by being well-nourished, pain $2-3$ hours after meals, pain at night, and pain relief with food intake.

Hematemesis

A sign of bleeding in Gastric Ulcers involving vomiting blood.

Melena

A sign of bleeding in Duodenal Ulcers characterized by dark-colored stool.

Antacids

Medications ending in “-Carbonate” and “-Hydroxide” that neutralize acid by increasing gastric pH; they should be taken after meals.

Aluminum Hydroxide side effect

Characterized by the phrase “Ala tae,” referring to constipation.

Magnesium Hydroxide side effect

Characterized by the phrase “MAG tae,” referring to diarrhea.

SucralfatE

A gastric protectant (cytoprotective) medication; its action is to “protect fate” by forming a barrier over the ulcer before meals.

MisoPROSTol

A PROSTaglandin analog used with NSAIDs to prevent PUD by decreasing HCL and increasing the mucus barrier; contraindicated in pregnancy (brand name Cytotec).

Vagotomy

Surgical division of the vagus nerve to eliminate vagal impulses that stimulate hydrochloric acid secretion.

Billroth I

A partial gastrectomy with the remaining segment anastomosed to the duodenum (Gastroduodenostomy).

Billroth II

A partial gastrectomy with the remaining segment anastomosed to the jejunum (Gastrojejunostomy).

Dumping Syndrome

A complication of gastric surgery involving rapid gastric emptying where food is dumped into the small intestine, leading to shock-like symptoms and hypoglycemia.

Pernicious Anemia

A complication of chronic gastritis due to low intrinsic factor, which results in decreased Vitamin B12 absorption.

Diverticulosis

Outpouching of the intestinal mucosa, commonly at the Sigmoid (LLQ), often caused by low fiber and constipation.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of one or more diverticula, characterized by diarrhea, crampy LLQ pain, fever, and hematochezia.

McBurney’s Point

A landmark located $2/3$ from the iliac crest toward the umbilicus, indicating severe pain and impending rupture in appendicitis.

Rovsing’s Sign

A sign of appendicitis where palpation of the LLQ causes “rolling pain” in the RLQ.

Blumberg’s Sign

Rebound tenderness where palpation produces no pain but release of the pressure causes pain.

Psoas Sign

Pain in the RLQ when the patient is in a left lateral position and the right leg is flexed backward.

Obturator Sign

Pain in the RLQ when the patient is supine and the right knee is flexed at $90$ degrees with internal hip rotation.

Steatorrhea

Stool that is greasy, foul-smelling, and hard to flush; a sign of malabsorption in chronic inflammatory bowel disorders.

Crohn’s Disease

Also called Regional Enteritis, it involves discontinuous, transmural inflammation with a “cobblestone appearance” and commonly features fistulas.

Ulcerative Colitis

Continuous inflammation starting in the distal area (rectum/sigmoid) that only affects the inside mucosa and sub-mucosa; symptoms include severe bloody diarrhea and Tenesmus.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A functional disorder of abnormal peristalsis associated with stress, characterized by abdominal pain relieved by defecation and changes in stool frequency.