1. Review common signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders as
a whole
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, and constipation.
2. What is gastritis? What are causes?
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Causes: Precipitated by ingestion of irritating substances
► Example: alcohol and aspirin, NSAIDs, viral, bacteria, autoimmune
3. What is GERD? What are causes to this condition? What are
complications of GERD if left untreated?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through lower
esophageal sphincter (LES)
Inflammation caused by reflux of highly acidic material (esophagitis)
► Causes
► Any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal pressure,
fatty foods, caffeine, large amounts of alcohol, cigarette smoking, pregnancy, anatomic
features (ex: hiatal hernia)
► Complications: Barrett esophagus- Structural changes in tissue of esophagus over time (columnar
tissue replaced normal squamos epithelial) can increase risk for esophageal cancer
► Progression can lead to ulceration, fibrotic scarring
► Esophageal strictures
► Pulmonary symptoms - cough, asthma, and laryngitis - from reflux in breathing passages
4. Review signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. What is the role of
H. pylori in this condition?
► Caused by NSAIDs, stress (glucocorticoids), smoking, genetics
► No relation b/w diet and PUD
► H. pylori plays a key role in promoting both gastric and duodenal ulcer formation
NURS 2063 Rasmussen College Essentials of Pathophysiology
– Exam Review Sheet Questions And Answers
, NURS 2063 Rasmussen College Essentials of Pathophysiology
– Exam Review Sheet Questions And Answers
► Thrives in acidic conditions
► Slow rate of ulcer healing
► High rate of
recurrence Clearance of H. pylori promotes ulcer
healing
► Signs and symptoms- epigastric burning that is usually relieved by the intake of
food (especially dairy products) or antacids.
► Pain of gastric ulcers typically occurs on an empty stomach but may present soon after
a meal
► Pain of duodenal ulcer classically occurs 2 to 3 hours after a meal and is relieved
by further food ingestion
► Life threatening complication: GI bleed
► Treatment: treat with antibiotic and then stomach acid with Sucralfate (Carafate)
5. What is pseudomembranous colitis? What contributes to this
condition? What are ways that it can be treated?
Antibiotic-Associated Colitis (Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis).
► Acute inflammation and necrosis of large intestine
► Caused by overgrowth of Clostridium difficile c.diff (exposure to antibiotics)
Treatment= Stop current antibiotic (if possible)
► Treat ischemia
► Treat contributing conditions
► Oral antibiotics - metronidazole (flagyl) or vancomycin
► Recurrence common
► Fecal transplant - transfer of fecal material from another healthy person to the
source patient via enema or gastric tube
► Colectomy – removal of portion of colon
6. Review examples of inflammatory bowel conditions.
Ulcerative Colitis
► Chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa of the rectum and colon
► Large ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and rectum
► Hallmark clinical manifestations are bloody diarrhea and lower abdominal pain
NURS 2063 Rasmussen College Essentials of Pathophysiology
– Exam Review Sheet Questions And Answers
, NURS 2063 Rasmussen College Essentials of Pathophysiology
– Exam Review Sheet Questions And Answers
Crohn’s Disease
► Also called regional enteritis or granulomatous colitis
► Affects proximal portion of the colon or terminal ileum
► Chronic inflammation of all layers of intestinal wall resulting from blockage and
inflammation of lymphatic vessels
► Intermittent bouts of fever, diarrhea (with or without blood), chronic RLQ pain, may have RLQ
mass, tenderness
7. Review signs and symptoms of appendicitis. How do we assess for
this condition?
► Signs and symptoms- Periumbilical pain, RLQ pain “McBurney’s point”, nausea, vomiting,
fever, diarrhea, RLQ tenderness, systemic signs of inflammation
► Mcburney- better with pressure exacerbated after – rebound tenderness
8. Review causes of bowel obstructions. Know the difference between functional obstruction
versus mechanical obstruction. Know examples of each type
Mechanical
NURS 2063 Rasmussen College Essentials of Pathophysiology
– Exam Review Sheet Questions And Answers
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