Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn's Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering pathophysiology, symptoms, nutritional guidelines, complications, and medical/surgical interventions for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease

An inflammatory bowel disease characterized by patchy swelling anywhere along the GI tract from mouth to anus, transmural involvement, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and potential tunnel or fistula formation.

Ulcerative colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a continuous segment of inflammation starting at the anal opening and extending up into the large intestine, causing left lower quadrant pain and frequent bloody stools.

Terminal ileus

The end portion of the small intestine connecting to the large intestine in the right lower quadrant, where inflammation from Crohn's disease collects to cause localized pain.

Transmural inflammation

The deep, full-thickness inflammation characteristic of Crohn's disease that burrows like a drill bit through all layers of the intestinal wall.

Fistula

An abnormal tunnel formed when transmural bowel inflammation eats completely through the outer wall, connecting the bowel to adjacent organs (such as the bladder, vagina, or urethra) or creating new external openings.

Toxic megacolon

A severe, life-threatening complication where the colon dilates extensively until it develops tears or holes, allowing intestinal contents to leak into the peritoneal cavity.

Steatorrhea

Fatty, foul-smelling stools caused by malabsorption of fats and nutrients through damaged intestinal mucosa, commonly seen in Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis stool characteristics

Severe diarrhea presenting with approximately 10 to 20 liquid, bloody, and mucus-filled stools per day due to ruptured mucosal blood vessels.

Acute flare-up diet protocol

A bowel-rest regimen placing the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) or clear liquids like water and ice, preventing digestive activity while providing bowel rest.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

Intravenous nutritional support administered through a central line to supply amino acids, proteins, and lipids while keeping the gastrointestinal tract entirely at rest during severe flare-ups.

Remission golden diet

A maintenance nutritional regimen that is high in protein, high in calories, and low in residue/fiber to supply adequate nutrition without producing bulky stools that irritate the raw mucosal lining.

Low-residue safe foods

Dietary choices including white rice, plain pasta, refined white bread, skinless cooked chicken, fish, eggs, and canned fruits or vegetables without skins or seeds.

Bowel resection surgery

A palliative surgical procedure for Crohn's disease that removes strictured or diseased segments of the bowel, but does not provide a cure as inflammation often returns at the new surgical connection.

Proctocolectomy with ileostomy

A curative surgical intervention for ulcerative colitis involving the complete removal of the inflamed colon and rectum, accompanied by the creation of an ileal stoma to collect liquid stool.

Peritonitis signs in IBD perforation

A surgical emergency characterized by a rigid or very hard abdomen, sudden drop or absence of bowel sounds, and skyrocketing fever following bowel perforation.

Daily weight

The most accurate nursing intervention used to track fluid shifts, fluid volume loss, and nutritional wasting in patients suffering from severe chronic diarrhea.