BTEC 112 Study of Disease
Study Guide Unit 4
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1. Define the following terms:
Coryza – A cold
Exophthalmos – Protruding eyeballs characteristic of Graves’ Disease (hyperthyroidism)
Fecalith – Small, hard, solid, intestinal mass formed around a core of fecal material
Fistula – Abnormal tubelike passage
Hematemesis – Vomiting of blood
Parenteral hyperalimentation – IV or enteral (intestinal)infusion of a solution that contains sufficient
amino acids, glucose, fatty acids, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals to maintain normal growth
and development and to provide needed tissue repair.
Polyposis – Formation of numerous small growths or masses on a mucous membrane surface of the
digestive tract.
Tetany – Muscle and nerve weakness with spasms of muscles (constant muscle contraction)
2. Describe stomatitis, name the two types of their etiology.
Stomatitis is also known as inflammation of the oral mucosa and is a common infection that occurs in
two forms: acute herpatic stomatitis (cold sores) and aphthous stomatitis (canker sores): Painful
blisters or ulcers characterize both.
Etiology – Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Canker sores cause is unknown, but is activated periodically
Both are exacerbated by stress, fatigue, anxiety and immunosuppression
3. Describe gastroesophageal reflux disease and know its abbreviation.
It is the backup of gastric or duodenal contents into the esophagus and past the lower esophageal
sphincter without belching or vomiting
It is known as GERD
4. State the most common symptom of GERD and how it is relieved.
Most common symptom - Heartburn
It is relieved by antacids or sitting upright.
5. Describe gastroenteritis and the other names by which it is known.
It is the inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.
AKA - intestinal flu, traveler’s diarrhea, or food poisoning.
6. Describe hiatal hernia and name its two major varieties.
It is the protrusion of some portion of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through the opening in the
diaphragm through which the esophagus passes
The two varieties are sliding hiatal hernia (portion of the stomach are above the diaphragm) and
paraesophageal hiatal hernia (portion of the stomach is adjacent to the esophagus).
7. State the symptoms of hiatal hernias.
Heartburn (reflux) or chest pain.
8. Describe infantile colic and its etiology.
It is a paroxysmal abdominal pain or cramping. It usually occurs during the first 3 months of life.
Etiology – Excessive fermentation and gas production in the intestines are thought to be the cause.
Other factors include too rapid feeding, overeating, swallowing air, or poor burping techniques.
Many times the cause cannot be determined.
9. Describe celiac disease and know the other name by which it is known.
It is a disease of the small intestine marked by malabsorption, gluten, intolerance and damage to, and
characteristic changes in, the mucosal lining of the intestine.
AKA – Gluten-induced enteropathy
10. Describe irritable bowel syndrome and its hallmark symptoms.
It is the functional disorder of motility, either marked by diarrhea, constipation or both.
Hallmark symptoms are abdominal pain with constipation alternating with diarrhea.
11. State the name of the most frequently occurring gastrointestinal disorder in the US.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
12. Describe the distinguishing inflammatory pattern of Crohn’s disease.
It has a pattern of inflammation through all layers of the walls of the intestinal tract. It thickens and
toughens the wall (narrows lumen) and is segmented.
13. State the medical name for Crohn’s disease.
Regional Enteritis or Granulomatous Colitis
14. Describe the distinguishing inflammatory pattern of ulcerative colitis.
Only the lining is inflamed, but is continuous throughout the lining.
15. Describe diverticulitis and the diagnostic procedure used in diagnosis.
It is the acute inflammation of the small, pouchlike herniations in the intestinal wall.
Diagnostic procedures include CT Scan, abdominal x-ray, stool specimen, colonoscopy, barium enema,
or biopsy.
16. Describe the classic symptoms of acute appendicitis.
Classic symptoms are generalized abdominal pain followed by pain localized in the upper right
quadrant, nausea, vomiting and fever. Pain is persistent and steady.
17. State the predisposing factors related to colorectal cancer.
History of irritable bowel syndrome, familial polyposis, and being over 40.
18. State the diagnostic procedures used to diagnose colorectal cancer.
Digital rectal exam (DRE), hemoccult test, and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
19. State the age group that has the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer and state the classic symptoms.
Age 60-70 years.
Classic symptoms are abdominal pain, anorexia, jaundice, and weight loss.
20. Describe cholelithiasis.
It is the formation or presence of stonelike masses called gallstones within the gallbladder or bile ducts.
21. State the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis.
Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice.
22. State the relationship of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis.
Cholelithiasis – Stones may be formed of either cholesterol or calcium-based compounds.
Cholecystitis – Severe inflammation of the interior wall of the gallbladder.
CHOLECYSTITIS IS A CONSEQUENCE OF OBSTRUCTION OF BILE DUCTS BY GALLSTONES
(CHOLELITHIASIS)
23. Describe cirrhosis and its etiology and treatment.
It is a chronic, irreversible, degenerative disease of the liver characterized by the replacement of normal
lever cells with fibrous tissue and other alterations in liver structure.
Etiology - The most common is portal, nutritional or alcoholic cirrhosis.
Treatment – It is aimed at the cause in an attempt to prevent further damage. Ex: restrict alcohol.
24. Describe the six types of viral hepatitis including the specific cause.
Hepatitis A – Highly contagious - Fecal-oral routes or parenterally
Hepatitis B – Transmitted by blood or human secretions or feces
Hepatitis C – Less common - Transmitted through transfusions from asymptomatic patients or
through contaminated needle. This disease insidiously damages the liver for up to 20 yrs before
symptoms emerge.
Hepatitis D – Defective virus that needs Hep B to exist. Occurs in persons frequently exposed to blood,
such as hemophiliacs or IV drug users.
Hepatitis E – Feces-contaminated water is the mode of transmission. Rarely seen in the U.S.
Hepatitis G – Blood-borne virus, most commonly seen with injection drug users
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
25. Contrast gigantism and acromegaly.
Gigantism
Hypersecretion of hGH occurs during the
growing years, especially before puberty.
Person grows abnormally tall with relative
proportion of body parts and sexual
development unaffected
Excessive growth of long bones of the body
Develops abruptly
Acromegaly
Hypersecretion of hGH occurs during
adulthood, after puberty.
Chronic, disfiguring, life-shortening disease
characterized by the overgrowth of bones and
soft tissues
Deformation and coarsening of facial features
and enlargement of hands, feet, head, and
tongue
Appears very gradually
26. State the most common cause of hypopituitarism and diagnostic procedures used to diagnose the
condition.
It is most often caused by pituitary tumors or tumors of the hypothalamus
Diagnostic Procedures – The patient’s clinical history of symptoms will suggest the diagnosis.
Laboratory tests to measure the levels of each of the principle pituitary hormones will be run to
confirm the diagnosis
27. Describe diabetes insipidus, the classic symptom and the key diagnostic test to diagnose the condition.
It is the insufficient secretion of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) by the posterior portion of the
pituitary gland that regulates the amount of fluid the kidneys release as urine.
Classic Symptoms – Polyuria and excessive thirst
Key diagnostic test - Urinalysis
28. Describe the etiology of a simple goiter.
It occurs when the thyroid gland cannot secrete sufficient levels of two iodine-rich hormones:
tetaiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
29. Describe Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and its cause. State the medical name for the condition.
Thyroiditis is a long-term inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland
It is due to antibodies in thyroid antigens in the blood. IF the in causes lymphocytic infiltration it is called
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Medical name – Autoimmune thyroiditis
30. State the treatment for autoimmune thyroiditis.
The form of thyroiditis will determine the treatment. Treatments include hormone replacement therapy,
analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids for severe episodes of acute inflammation
31. Describe Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism) and state the symptoms of the disease.
It is a condition caused by oversecretion of hormones (T4 and T3) by the thyroid gland
Symptoms – Classic manifestations are goiter (ophthalmogically it is exophthalmos)
32. Contrast cretinism and myxedema addressing the signs and symptoms and treatment.
Cretinism
Congenital condition
Newborns may exhibit constipation and
feeding problems and may sleep too
much
Children will typically show retarded
growth, delayed sexual characteristics,
impaired intelligence
One or more adult symptoms may
appear
Hormone replacement in children as
soon as possible to avoid or minimize
intellectual impairment
Myxedema
Acquired later in childhood or adulthood
Insidious. Initially may include fatigue, constipation,
intolerance to cold, muscle cramps, and menorrhagia
Later symptoms may include mental clouding,
diminished appetite, and weight gain
Cardiomegaly or megacolon
Hormone replacement
33. State the new criteria to classify the types of diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes mellitus should no longer to be referred to as “juvenile” diabetes. The old criteria no longer
should be used because it is not longer limited to “juveniles”. The two types should now be
referred to as Type I or IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) or Type II diabetes, NIDDM
(non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus).
THE 3 QUESTIONS THAT WERE ON THE QUIZ ON MONDAY WERE #22, #24 AND THE QUESTION
DESCRIBE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOPARATHYROIDISM (pg 341 IN THE TEXT)
The questions from the presentations are as followed:
1. What percentage of Americans suffer from IBS?
20% of the population
2. What is the most common cause of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum?
Helicobacter pylori
3. Thyroid medication should be taken on and empty stomach. T/F
True
4. State at least 4 factors that can compound ulcers.
Caffeine, soda pop, smoking, stress, NSAIDs/aspirin pain relievers, alcohol, helicobactor pylori and
over production of gastric acids.
5. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a:
a) disease of the central nervous system
b) autoimmune, progressive disease
c) characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath
d) all of the above
e) none of the above