Gastrointestinal System Overview Quiz

Gastrointestinal (GI) System Overview

• Major Functions: Ingestion, digestion, elimination
• GI Tract Components: Pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
• Accessory Organs: Liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, teeth, salivary glands

Abdominal Quadrants and Organ Locations

• RUQ: Ascending colon, duodenum, gallbladder, right kidney, liver, right ureter, head of pancreas, transverse colon
• LUQ: Descending colon, left kidney, body and tail of pancreas, spleen, stomach, transverse colon, left ureter
• RLQ: Appendix, ascending colon, bladder, cecum, rectum, right ureter, small intestine, female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes), male reproductive organs (prostate, spermatic cord)
• LLQ: Bladder, descending colon, small intestine, sigmoid colon, left ureter, female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes), male reproductive organs (prostate, spermatic cord)

Abdominal Muscles

• Protection and Function: Three layers of abdominal wall muscles protect internal organs and facilitate movements like coughing, sneezing, and childbirth.
• Surgical Implications: Abdominal surgery recovery can be prolonged due to pain in these muscles.

Abdominal Obstruction vs. Ileus

• Bowel Obstruction: Blockage preventing food/fluid passage through the intestines (small and large). Symptoms: intermittent crampy abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, abdominal swelling.
• Paralytic Ileus: Peristalsis ceases, mimicking obstruction. Symptoms: absent bowel sounds, constipation, bloating, pain, nausea, vomiting (dehydration).

Post-Operative Abdominal Surgery Considerations

• Potential Complications: Bowel/intestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus, incision dehiscence/evisceration.
• Management: NG tube placement, NPO status, IV fluids, monitoring fluids/electrolytes, vital signs.

Liver Anatomy and Function

• Location: Largest solid organ, below diaphragm in RUQ, extending to left midclavicular line.
• Structure: Four lobes
• Palpation: Soft consistency if palpable.
• Key Functions: Digestion, metabolism, regulation (glucose storage, protein and clotting factor formation, cholesterol and bile production, iron and vitamin storage, detoxification).

Liver Disease Assessment

• Palpation: Palpable liver, firm or hard; difficulty palpation due to rib cage; may be palpable on inspiration.
• Significance of Findings: Clues to liver disease and potential complications, such as cancer.

Jaundice (Icterus)

• Clinical Presentation: Yellowing of skin, mucous membranes, and sclera due to elevated bilirubin.
• Urine: Dark (tea-colored) urine.
• Stools: Pale/gray (due to lack of bile).
• Causes: Gallstones, malignant bile duct obstructions, infectious hepatitis, infections, cancer (painful or painless).
• Associated Symptoms: Variable symptoms depending on underlying cause, potential for itchiness.

Kidney Assessment

• CVA Tenderness: Percussion over the costovertebral angle (12th rib and spine) to assess for pain (infection/kidney stones).

Common GI Symptoms

• Pain (acute or chronic): Abdominal, epigastric, radiating.
• Digestive Issues: Nausea, vomiting (blood, hematemesis), loss of appetite, early satiety, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing).
• Bowel Changes: Diarrhea, constipation, change in bowel habits, last BM.
• Jaundice: Visually assess skin color.
• Urinary Issues: Suprapubic pain, dysuria (painful urination), frequency, urgency, incontinence, hematuria (blood in urine), flank pain, hesitancy (males).

Abdominal Pain Causes

• GERD: Epigastric/chest pain, burning, discomfort.
• PUD: Epigastric, radiating back pain.
• Appendicitis: Periumbilical (migrates to RLQ), McBurney's point tenderness.
• Cholecystitis: RUQ pain, radiating to right shoulder.
• Bowel Obstruction: Variable pain, potentially severe.
• Pancreatitis: Epigastric pain, radiating back.
• Diverticulitis: LLQ pain.
• Associated Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, indigestion.

Abdominal Pain Types

• Visceral Pain: Vague, non-localized, deep, squeezing, aching; organ stretching or distension.
• Parietal Pain: More severe, localized, steady aching; inflamed peritoneum (peritonitis); aggravated by movement and coughing.

Bowel Function Issues

• Diarrhea: Increased stool water content.
  • Classify as acute, persistent, or chronic.
• Constipation: Fewer than three bowel movements per week, hard, lumpy stools.
• Stool Variations: Black/tarry (melena - upper GI bleed), red blood (hematochezia - lower GI bleed), grey/pale.
• Be aware of medications that affect stool appearance (e.g., iron).

Urinary Abnormalities

• Frequency and Nocturia: Decreased bladder capacity, infection, stones, tumors, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
• Polyuria: Excessive urine production (diabetes insipidus, kidney disease).
• Incontinence (types): Stress, urge, overflow, functional, secondary medications.

Abdominal Assessment

• Inspection: Symmetry, visible pulsations, bulges (hernias, ascites), skin color (jaundice), venous patterns.
• Auscultation: Bowel sounds (5-24/minute, hyperperistalsis, absent sounds). Aorta for bruits (abnormal sounds).
• Percussion: Fluid (ascites), tenderness.
• Palpation: Light (guarding, rigidity, rebound tenderness), deep (liver, masses, tenderness).
• CVA Tenderness: Over costovertebral angle, kidney disease or infection.
• Important Considerations: Pain location, intensity, duration for accurate diagnosis.

Test your knowledge on the gastrointestinal system, including its major functions, components, and the locations of abdominal organs within the quadrants. This quiz also covers accessory organs and their roles in digestion. Perfect for students studying anatomy and physiology.