How do you approach and manage patients with common gastrointestinal emergencies?

Sample interview questions: How do you approach and manage patients with common gastrointestinal emergencies?

Sample answer:

1. Patient Assessment:
2. Begin with a comprehensive patient history, including current symptoms, duration, and associated conditions.

3. Perform a thorough physical examination, paying attention to vital signs, abdominal examination for pain, distension, or masses, and rectal examination if indicated.

4. Management of Common Gastrointestinal Emergencies:

5. Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB):

   • Resuscitate the patient as needed, including IV fluids and blood transfusions.
   • Perform endoscopy to identify the bleeding source and control it with appropriate measures (e.g., cautery, band ligation).
   • Administer proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce gastric acid secretion.
   • Consider endoscopic hemostasis if bleeding persists or recurs.

6. Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding (LGIB):

   • Assess the severity of bleeding based on vital signs, hemodynamic status, and the presence of hematochezia or melena.
   • Initiate fluid resuscitation and blood transfusions as needed.
   • Perform colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to identify the bleeding source and control it with appropriate measures (e.g., cautery, banding, or endoscopic mucosal resection).

7. Acute Pancreatitis:

   • Administer intravenous fluids and analgesics.
   • Start broad-spectrum antibiotics if infection is suspected.
   • Order a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet to reduce pancreat… Read full answer

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