Kerry Roberts

4b

Gastrointestinal System Cases

1. A. This patient has symptoms similar to GERD, gastrointestinal reflux disease. When you eat,
food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. When food is in the stomach,
a ring of muscle fibers stops food from moving back into the esophagus, known as the lower
esophageal sphincter. If it does not close properly, food, liquid and stomach acid can leak right
back into the esophagus, resulting in gastroesophageal reflux.

B. Barium x-rays can be used to check for abnormalities in the digestive tract. Also, an upper
endoscopy test will make it easy to examine the inside of the patient's esophagus. A pH test may
also be requested, as it can measure the amount of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.

C.) Instruct patient to sleep with their head raised by tilting their entire bed, or by using a wedge
under their body. It is also important to avoid sleeping on a full stomach, keep away from spicy
foods, alcohol, tomato sauces, things of that nature, etc. An antacid such as Nexium may also be
prescribed.

2) A. Ulcerative colitis, because the child is around the peak age to get UC, and a major risk
factor is a family history of the disease.

B. A colonoscopy with biopsy should be requested on both of the patients to be sure of the
diagnosis.

C. Medication can be used to decrease the number of attacks such as mesalamine or sulfazine.
Also, surgery to remove the colon can cure ulcerative colitis and it removes the threat of colon
cancer.

3.) A. Cholestasis, a condition where bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum.
B. If there is no bilirubinin the stool, it will have a gray color because the flow of bile into the
intestine is blocked. The most common causes of blockage are tumors of the bile ducts. Due to
obstruction of the biliary duct, (caused by gallstones, inflammation, fibrosis, etc), cramping pains
in the right upper abdomen will occur as well (the gallbladder is located in the upper right
quadrant).
6.) A volvulus is a bowel obstruction in which a loop of bowel has become twisted. An

intussusception occurs when part of the intestine folds into another section of intestine like a

telescope. Fast treatment for each is very important, because the longer the intestine segment is

obstructed, the longer it goes without blood flow which can result in necrosis of the affected

intestinal wall.