Gastrointestinal Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Gastrointestinal and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| An increase in CEA levels is most closely associated with which of the following organs: | View Page |
| Which of the following are not considered normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract: | View Page |
| A 20 year-old female was admitted into the hospital complaining of 10 to 15 bloody mucous stools per day, fever, gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal pain, and nausea. The preliminary O & P report went out as "Probable Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and cysts, confirmation pending." This patient is most likely suffering from: | View Page |
| Review 1 Podschun R. Ullmann U.:
Klebsiella spp. as nosocomial pathogens: epidemiology, taxonomy, typing methods, and pathogenicity factors
Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 11(4):589-603, 1998Bacteria belonging to the genus Klebsiella frequently cause human nosocomial infections. In particular, the medically most important Klebsiella species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, accounts for a significant proportion of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections, pneumonia, septicemias, and soft tissue infections.The principal pathogenic reservoirs for transmission of Klebsiella are the gastrointestinal tract and the hands of hospital personnel. Because of their ability to spread rapidly in the hospital environment, these bacteria tend to cause nosocomial outbreaks. Hospital
outbreaks of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp., especially those in neonatal wards, are often caused by new types of strains, the so-called extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) producersThe incidence of ESBL-producing strains among clinical Klebsiella isolates has been steadily increasing over the past years. The resulting limitations on the therapeutic options demand new measures for the management of Klebsiella hospital infections.While the different typing methods are useful epidemiological tools for infection control, recent findings about Klebsiella virulence factors have provided new insights into the pathogenic strategies of these bacteria. Klebsiella pathogenicity factors such as capsules or lipopolysaccharides are presently considered to be promising candidates for vaccination efforts that may serve as immunological infection control measures. | View Page |
| The hands of hospital personnel represents one of the major reservoirs for the persistence and potential spread of ESBL producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the hospital environment. | View Page |
| Review 2 Citron DM. Appelbaum PC.:
How far should a clinical laboratory go in identifying anaerobic isolates, and who should pay?
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 16 Suppl 4:S435-8, 1993Identification of anaerobic bacteria in specimens from sites of infection due to mixed organisms can be time-consuming and expensive. Laboratories should limit anaerobic workups by testing only those specimens that have been properly collected and transported to the laboratory.Use of selective and differential media for initial processing can provide rapid and relevant information to the clinician. Anaerobes isolated from normally sterile sites and sites of serious infection should always be completely identified. Group-or genus-level identifications may suffice in other instances.The Bacteroides fragilis group of organisms should always be identified because of their virulence and resistance to many antimicrobial agents.Some of the other organisms that warrant identification include Clostridium septicum (associated with gastrointestinal malignancy); Clostridium ramosum, Clostridium innocuum, and Clostridium clostridioforme (which are resistant to antibiotics); Clostridium perfringens (a cause of myonecrosis and gas gangrene,potentially serious infection); anaerobic cocci (which may be resistant to metronidazole and clindamycin); and fusobacteria (which may be virulent and resistant to clindamycin and penicillin). | View Page |
| Coagulation Disorders - Platelet Disorders Bernard-Soulier Syndrome is a genetic platelet disorder characterized by abnormal platelet function tests, unusually large platelets, and a moderate decrease in platelet count. Clinically, patients present with mucotaneous bleeding of varying severity, as well as having gingival bleeds, epistaxis, purpura, and gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. Treatment can range from the administration of iron supplements up to red cell replacement therapy if the episodic bleeding is severe enough to warrant it. | View Page |
| Introduction Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a disorder of iron regulation that results in excessive dietary iron absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, the resultant iron overload and its deposition in tissue may lead to widespread organ damage, a variety of chronic disorders, and even death. Although it is a genetic disorder, clinical symptoms most typically become apparent in middle aged adults. Iron overload occurs in a variety of hereditary and acquired forms, known as iron storage diseases. HH is the most common cause of inherited iron overload. (1) Due to lack of awareness, HH often goes undetected or unrecognized by health care providers. Early detection to prevent the serious complications associated with iron overload has important consequences for reducing morbidity and mortality. Laboratory tests that assess iron levels and molecular assays for genetic mutatations are essential for both its detection and diagnosis. | View Page |
| Iron Intake and Recycling The typical daily diet of most Americans contains approximately 10 to 15 mg of iron. Sources of dietary iron include heme iron from meats and nonheme iron from whole grains and vegetables. Many processed foods, such as breakfast cereal, are fortified with iron. However, the normal individual absorbs only 5% to 15% of dietary iron, or about 1 to 2 mg daily. Females may absorb slightly more iron than males as they require more iron to replace that lost through menstruation and to meet the increased need for iron in pregnancy.Absorption of iron occurs through the mucosal cells in the duodenum (proximal small intestine). Dietary iron that is not absorbed is excreted in the feces. Intestinal absorption provides the means for regulating the amount of iron in the body.The amount of Iron absorbed is normally low because iron is well conserved within the body. Heme iron from senescent erythrocytes is cycled back into the iron pool and reused for incorporation into developing erythrocytes. Furthermore, iron is normally lost from the body only in very small amounts, primarily through desquamation of mucosal cells in the gastrointestinal tract and losses through body secretions, including urine, sweat and feces. Therefore, under normal conditions, very little dietary iron needs to be absorbed to maintain iron homeostasis.(3) | View Page |
| A 20 year-old female was admitted into the hospital complaining of 10 to 15 bloody mucous stools per day, fever, gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal pain, and nausea. The preliminary O & P report went out as "Probable Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and cysts, confirmation pending." This patient is most likely suffering from: | View Page |
| A 32 year old male was seen in the emergency room with gastrointestinal discomfort. Upon questioning the patient it was learned that he first began feeling ill after spending a day at the park where he swam and played volleyball barefooted. He first noticed a lesion on his foot. Later, he developed vague respiratory symptoms. Now his largest complaint is severe abdominal pain along with occasional vomiting. This patient is most likely suffering from: | View Page |
| A fresh stool sample was submitted to the laboratory for parasitic examination on a 30 year old male who presented to a local clinic complaining of gastrointestinal discomfort and overall weakness. The only patient history available about the patient was that he was here job hunting and that he is originally from rural Mississippi. The sample was immediately processed and this suspicious form was seen. No other suspicious forms resembling eggs were seen. The patient is most likely infected with: | View Page |
| Case Presentation Mr. R.M., a 55-year old male, was admitted to a hospital emergency department with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding. His history revealed multiple prior transfusions, the last of which he received five years earlier.Physical examination revealed hemodynamic instability (systolic BP 60 mmHg). Blood tests revealed a hemoglobin (Hb) of 8 g/dL (80 g/L) and a hematocrit (HCT) of 28% (0.28). The patient received aggressive fluid resuscitation with Ringer's lactate and was sent to the operating room (OR) for an emergency laparotomy.The physician ordered four units of Red Blood Cells to be crossmatched.Two units of uncrossmatched group O Rh-negative Red Blood Cells were also ordered and authorized for immediate emergency transfusion. | View Page |