Chapter 19: Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies

stomach

main organ of digestive system, use gastric juices to break down food

liver

organ that secretes bile, filters toxic substances produced by digestion, creates glucose stores, produces substances for blood clotting/immune function

gallbladder

organ that is reservoir for bile

small intestine

consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

colon (large intestine)

organ that absorbs water and forms stool

kidney

organ that controls discharge of certain waste materials filtered from blood, solid organs

ureter

organ that passes from renal pelvis of each kidney to bladder

bladder

stores urine filtered by the kidneys

urethra

organ that carries urine from bladder to outside of body

peritoneum

membrane that lines the abdominal cavity

parietal peritoneum

peritoneum that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity

visceral peritoneum

peritoneum that covers the organs

peritonitis

irritation of the peritoneum by presence of foreign material

acute abdomen

medical term for sudden onset of abdomen pain

ileus

paralysis of muscular contractions that normally propel material through intestine

referred pain

pain that results from connection between body’s two separate nervous systems

ulcers

erosion of protective layer of mucous lining, allowing acid to eat into organ, gnawing pain and “burning sensation”

hematemesis

vomiting blood

melena

black, tarry stools containing blood

gallstones

hardened deposits of bile in gallbladder, can block outlet and cause cholecystitis, constant severe pain in right upper/midabdominal region that can refer up to right shoulder

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas, often by obstructing gallstone or alcohol abuse, severe pain in upper right/left quadrants that can radiate to back

appendicitis

inflammation/infection of appendix, generalized initial pain that later localizes in right lower quadrant, rebound tenderness

gastrointestinal hemorrhage

symptom of another disease (not a disease itself), GI bleeding, can occur in upper or lower GI tract

esophagitis

occurs when lining of esophagus becomes inflamed by infection or acids from stomach (GERD that causes heartburn), pain when swallowing

esophageal varices

increased pressure within blood vessels surrounding esophagus, frequently resulting from liver failure, alcohol/viral hepatitis, ruptures more common and cause vomiting of bright red blood

Mallory Weiss tear

tear in the junction between the esophagus and stomach causing severe bleeding/death, caused by violent coughing/vomiting

gastroenteritis

aka stomach flu, infection combined with diarrhea/nausea/vomiting, can cause dehydration/shock

diverticulitis

hardening of stool increases pressure within colon, bulges in colonic walls from increased intestinal contractions fill with fecal matter and cause inflammation and infection, abdominal pain more in left lower quadrant

hemorrhoids

created by swelling/inflammation of blood vessels surrounding rectum

cystitis

aka UTI, bladder inflammation, bacterial infection that causes midline lower abdominal pain and blood in urine, urgent/frequent urination, and pressure/pain around bladder

uremia

condition that occurs when kidneys fail and patient loses ability to excrete waste from body

acute kidney failure

sudden decrease in kidney function, often reversible with diagnosis/treatment

chronic kidney failure

progressive/irreversible damage of kidneys, diabetes/hypertension, will eventually need dialysis

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

balloon like bulge in lower part of aorta, weak areas can tear/rupture, back pain with tearing sensation, deadly

hernia

protrusion of an organ/tissue through hole/opening into body cavity where it doesn’t belong

reducible hernias

hernias that can be pushed back into body cavity, pose little risk

incarcerated hernias

hernias that can’t be pushed back in and are compressed by surrounding body tissue, strangulation of this hernia is medical emergency

guarding

involuntary rigidity of muscles in abdominal wall to protect from further irritation