Assignment:
Digestive System Disorders
Question 1. A. Name the common electrolytes lost because of diarrhea.
B. State the major effect on the body of sodium loss and of potassium loss.
C. State and explain what arterial blood gas levels may be expected in the presence of severe vomiting.
Question 2. Explain several ways in which severe stress can affect the digestive tract.
Question 3. Explain why hiatal hernia is aggravated by:
a. Intake of a large meal
b. Lying down after a meal
Question 4. A. Explain several mechanisms by which intestinal infection can cause diarrhea.
B. Explain how fluid balance and acid-base balance are altered by diarrhea.
Question 5. A. Explain why peptic ulcers often do not heal quickly but tend to persist or recur.
B. Describe the common differences between gastric ulcer and gastric cancer.
C. Explain why abdominal cramps occur with the dumping syndrome.
Question 6. Describe how chronic hepatitis may affect liver tissue. Define fulminant hepatitis and its possible outcomes.
Question 7. A. Describe the three common types of cirrhosis and give one cause of each.
B. State the rationale for each of the following signs of cirrhosis: nausea, abdominal pain (upper right quadrant), esophageal varices, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Question 8. A. Explain why malnutrition may develop from Crohn's disease.
B. Explain the process by which chronic bleeding may cause anemia.
C. Explain, using an example, how a fistula develops in patient's with Crohn's disease.
D. Compare the characteristics of diarrhea typical of Crohn's disease with that of ulcerative colitis.