Common Upper gastrointestinal haemmorhage exam questions for medical finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES
Question 1.
Define the term UGI haemorrhage in terms of its source of origin.
- Bleeding that arises proximal to the ligament of Treitz i.e. from the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum
Question 2.
List the two main causes of UGI haemorrhage.
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Oesophageal varices
Question 3.
List the signs of chronic liver disease that you would look for in a patient with UGI haemorrhage.
- Clubbing
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Palmar erythema
- Jaundice
- Spider naevi
- Gynaecomastia
- Ascites
- Splenomegaly
- Caput medusa
- Testicular atrophy
Question 4.
What tool is used to risk stratify patients with UGI haemorrhage?
- Pre-endoscopy Rockall score
Question 5.
List the three components of this risk stratification tool.
- Age
- Shock
- Co-morbidities
Question 6.
What is the definitive investigation and management of UGI haemorrhage?
- UGI endoscopy
Question 7.
What pharmacological components are there to managing UGI haemorrhage?
- Fluid resuscitation
- Antibiotics
- Terlipressin
- PPI IV post-endoscopy
Question 8.
What non-pharmacological procedure may be life-saving in torrential UGI haemorrhage due to oesophageal varices?
- Sengstaken-Blakemore tube