NR 511 Midterm Exam - Questions and Answers What are two possible functions of the appendix? 1. "Safe house" for gut flora/bacteria 2. Immune system role
... [Show More] What percentage of the populations experiences appendicitis at some point in their life? 10% T or F: Appendectomy is the most common surgery of the abdomen. True What is the most common cause of appendicitis and what contributes to this cause? Obstruction 1. Fecalith or "poop rock" 2. Undigested seeds 3. Pinworm infection 4. Lymphoid hyperplasia in adolescence which happens as a natural part of development of when a viral (including vaccinations) infection is present. How does the appendix become inflamed and what nerves does it affect? Mucus is continually produced by intestinal tissue. When the appendix becomes blocked, that production continues and enlarges the appendix due to the obstruction. As it inflames, it pushes on the visceral nerve fibers causing abdominal pain. In appendicitis, what causes a spike in WBC count upon testing the blood? Normal gut bacterium including E. coli and Bacteroids fragilis multiply and causes the immune system to respond. How physical signs can be assessed for in order to make a diagnosis of appendicitis? 1. RLQ pain --> McBurney's Point 2. Fever 3. N/V What is the pathology of appendicitis from onset to peritonitis? Increasing inflammation causes blood vessels to become compressed --> ischemia of the appendiceal tissue --> tissues necrosis --> bacterial invasion of appendiceal tissue and pus formation--> appendiceal tissue rupture --> peritonitis with rebound tenderness What are two possible complications of a ruptured appendix beyond peritonitis? 1. Periappendiceal abcess 2. Subphrenic abcess
What treatment is usually performed when appendicitis is present? Appendectomy + Antibiotics Describe acute pancreatitis in one sentence... Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation and hemorrhaging of the pancreas due to destruction by its own digestive enzymes, also called auto digestion. What are the main endocrine functions of the pancreas? Alpha and beta cells secret hormones into the bloodstream, namely glucagon and insulin, respectively. What are the endocrine functions fo the pancreas? Acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes which are secreted into the duodenum which help break down carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. How does the pancreas protect itself from its own enzymes? By producing inactive forms of enzymes called proenzymes, known more specifically as zymogens. These zymogens are activated by proteases. Where is zymogen stored to keep it away from sensitive tissues? In vesicles called zymogen granules. These are stored with protease inhibitors to prevent accidental activating for the zymogen. How are zymogens used to digest food? They are secreted into the pancreatic duct and enter the duodenum where they are activated by the protease trypsin. What is trypsinogen? How, when, and to what is it converted? Trypsinogen is a zymogen made by the pancreas. It is activated by enteropepidase which is produced in the duodenum. The active form of the enzyme is called trypsin. What is the results of trypsinogen and other zymogens becoming active prematurely? Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis may be a result from what two physical circumstances? 1. Injury to the acinar cells 2. Impaired secretion of proenzymes What are the leading causes of impaired secretion of proenzymes from the pancreas? 1. Alcohol abuse 2. Gallstones How does alcohol induce acute pancreatitis? 1. Alcohol increases zymogen secretion from acinar cells. Simultaneously, it decreases fluid and bicarbonate in the ducts of the pancreas. This results in thick pancreatic juices that can form a protein plug in the pancreatic ducts and therefore [Show Less]