Running Head: GI & HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS DISCUSSION 1

GI & Hepatobiliary Disorders Discussion

Name

Institution
GI & HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS DISCUSSION 2

GI & Hepatobiliary Disorders Discussion

Patient HL presented diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting as symptoms for treating potential

Hepatitis C and drug dependence. The drug to take into account include a daily 100 mg dose of

Synthoid for treating hyperthyroidism, 30 mg of Nifedipine every day for regulating blood

pressure or any kind of angina, and 10 mg of prednisone every day for treating inflammation or

suppressing the immune system for a range of GI or hepatobiliary illnesses. Even though a

thorough history, bodily exam, and diagnostic assessment is necessary for developing a primary

diagnosis for the patient, I would deliver a chief diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis based on the

presented symptoms. The following paper discusses the rationale for this diagnosis and a proper

drug therapy plan centered on Patient HL’s background, diagnosis, and prescribed medications.

The stomach and ileum become irritated and inflame at the onset of acute gastroenteritis.

Its most commons symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, all of which patient HL

exhibited. Even though unusually caused by viruses, some parasitic, bacterial, and fungal species

can also induce gastroenteritis (Bresee et al., 2012). Since the patient has a history of drug

dependency, it is likely he or she is an adult and hence unlikely to have developed the illness due

to rotavirus because it often attacks children. In this instance, norovirus and Campylobacter are

the likely culprits as the patient has likely ingested inappropriately made food or picked up an

infection from another infected individual (Liu et al., 2010). Drug abuse is a high-risk factor for

developing acute gastroenteritis given that the patient is administering prescribed medications for

hyperthyroidism, blood pressure, and anti-inflammation.

I would have a number of questions such as if HL has Hep C, reason why HL is taking

Prednisone, the period of time that the symptoms have been present, and the appearance of the

stool/emesis to mention a few, prior to diagnosing this patient or proceeding any further
GI & HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS DISCUSSION 3

(Guarino et al., 2014). Moreover, a satisfactory health history assessment ought to be done for

more information.

With respect to what was provided, I would diagnose HL with acute gastroenteritis,

which is an intestinal infection characterized by stomach pains, nausea or vomiting, water

diarrhea, and sporadically fever. Consumption of contaminated water or food or having contact

with an individual who is already infected is the most prevalent way to contract gastroenteritis.

Usually, there is no particular medical treatment for gastroenteritis and treatment initially

includes self-care measures as well as anti-nausea prescription and diarrhea medication (Agency

for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2018). For a healthy individual, recovery usually occurs

without complications within one to three days.

Despite the fact that Prednisone is famous for causing GI upset, I would not discontinue it

without tapering with respect to this current prescription regimen. Prednisone resembles cortisol,

a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. A steady decrease in Prednisone dosage

allows the adrenal glands to recommence their usual function. A tapering regimen would be

launched (Guarino et al., 2014). In addition, I would target my care in the treatment of the

symptoms for HL. To assist in relief from vomiting or nausea, Ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3

receptor antagonist, would be administered. Despite its mechanism of action being vaguely

categorized, Ondansetron is not considered as a dopamine-receptor antagonist. Serotonin

receptors of the 5-HT3 are found peripherally on vagal nerve terminals and centrally in the

chemoreceptor trigger region (Marchetti et al., 2011).

GI & HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS DISCUSSION 4

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2018). Clinical Guidelines and

Recommendations. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-

providers/guidelines-recommendations/index.html

Bresee, J., Marcus, R., Venezia, R., Keene, W., Morse, D., & Thanassi, M. et al. (2012). The

Etiology of Severe Acute Gastroenteritis Among Adults Visiting Emergency

Departments in the United States. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases, 205(9), 1374-

1381. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis206

Guarino, A., Ashkenazi, S., Gendrel, D., Lo Vecchio, A., Shamir, R., & Szajewska, H. (2014).

European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition/European

Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Management

of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children in Europe. Journal Of Pediatric Gastroenterology

And Nutrition, 59(1), 132-152. doi: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000000375

Liu, L., Liu, W., Tong, Y., Jia, N., Cao, W., & Liu, G. et al. (2010). Identification of Norovirus

as the Top Enteric Viruses Detected in Adult Cases with Acute Gastroenteritis. The

American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene, 82(4), 717-722. doi:

10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0491

Marchetti, F., Maestro, A., Rovere, F., Zanon, D., Arrighini, A., & Bertolani, P. et al. (2011).

Oral ondansetron versus domperidone for symptomatic treatment of vomiting during

acute gastroenteritis in children: multicentre randomized controlled trial. BMC

Pediatrics, 11(1). doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-11-15