CASE STUDY #8: Gastrointestinal Tract

ATTENDANCE
Names Roles Remarks
Arrabis, Stella Mariz Member Present
Autentico, Justine Joy Member Present
Bagood. Clarisse Dominique Member Present
Balbuena, Jarixa Leader Present
Bernido, Zoe Sofia Member Present
Bumagat, Angela Thea Secretary Present
Cabaña, Mariah Kyla Member Present
Cabrera, Hazel Faith Member Present
Capundag, Kate Nichole Member Absent
Casas, Frances Dominique Member Present
Cellan, Clifford Member Present

CALL TO ORDER

Laboratory preceptor of Group 1 BSMT – 1C for Health Science 1: Miss Jamie Therese Go, ordered
to start the meeting at exactly 8:30 am on November 18, 2021, Thursday.

AGENDA

• To discuss Acute Gastroenteritis through a case study.

CASE

A 20-year old student who recently went on a camping trip, suddenly developed 3 episodes of loose
bowel movement amounting to 1 cup per episode associated with slight abdominal pain on the morning
prior to consult. This was not associated with vomiting nor fever. Vital signs were within normal. Physical
examination revealed slightly sunken eyeballs with dry lips and tongue with hyperactive bowel sounds. A
case of acute gastroenteritis with moderate dehydration was considered.

DISCUSSION

The group starts the discussion through a segment of Face to Face where Ms. Balbuena introduced
the case to be discussed in a form of a hosting stint. She also added that parts and processes of the
gastrointestinal tract in a conflict due to the patient’s condition. Ms. Arrabis was introduced to the show as
the epithelium. The stratified squamous epithelium is located in the esophagus, pharynx and anus whereas
the simple columnar epithelium is located in the stomach, large intestine, small intestine and rectum.

Ms. Cabaña was introduced to the segment as the layers of the intestinal walls wherein she
differentiated the four layers of the intestinal walls. The mucosa layer functions in the absorption of
nutrients as well as the submucosa layer which functions in the secretion of mucus. Moreover, the
muscularis layer pushes the food in one direction and finally the serosa or adventitia layer which protects
the organ from scratches.
 Ms. Balbuena then introduced Ms. Bagood and Ms. Casas to the segment as the upper GI tract and
lower GI tract respectively. Ms. Bagood stressed that the upper GI tract functions in the ingestion,
mastication, swallowing of food as well as digestion of food using enzymes. In addition to this, the upper
GI tract is composed of the oral cavity, esophagus and stomach. Ms. Casas emphasized that the lower GI
tract is composed of the small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus and functions in the neutralization
of enzymes and serves as the passageway of waste.

After a short advertisement, two guests from the audience from the segment gave their statements
regarding the case presented in the segment. Ms. Autentico described the secretions of the gastrointestinal
tract. The small intestine neutralizes enzymes from the stomach while the large intestine serves as a
passageway for waste from digestion to exit. She also added that waste is released through the rectum and
anus and cannot return to the body. Ms. Cabañez reiterated that gastric secretions are part of the digestive
phase, and bile from the liver breaks down food chemically.

After short statements were given by the audience, Mr. Cellan who played as a resident doctor
differentiated the phases of digestion. The first phase is the cephalic phase which occurs while food is eaten
and before it enters the stomach. This phase is initiated by the cerebral cortex which stimulates the sight,
smell, taste, or even though of food itself. The second phase is the gastric phase wherein swallows foods
and semi-digested proteins are activated in the gastric activity. Then the last phase is the intestinal phase.
This phase occurs when food has left the stomach and enters the small intestine. It is also the phase where
it accounts for 10% of the body’s reaction to a meal.

Ms. Bumagat, another guest doctor explained propulsion and mixing, the two functional
movements that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Propulsion is the movement of food in the digestive tract
to the other. In this movement, food moves at an appropriate rate to accommodate digestion and absorption.
In addition to this, swallowing, peristalsis and mass swallowing are three characteristic movements of
propulsion.

Ms. Cabrera, one of the guest doctors, remarked that the patient also showed signs of diarrhea
which also explains the dehydration. Diarrhea is the reversal of the normal net absorptive status of water
and electrolyte absorption to secretion. The most common cause of acute-onset secretory diarrhea is a
bacterial infection in the gut. However, she was also able to explain which parts of the gastrointestinal
system were affected during the said incident as well as the correct diagnosis of the patient. The patient
suffered from gastroenteritis, and this affected the stomach and intestines. Gastroenteritis is an illness that
irritates the stomach and intestines. Abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting are common symptoms.
On the contrary, it was stated in the case that it was not associated with vomiting or fever, but rather with
little stomach pain and significant dehydration.

Ms. Bernido who played the anus, wrapped up the presentation with a short discussion regarding
the anus. The anus is the opening of the rectum and evacuates waste from the digestive process.

After the discussion, a brief review of the preceding laboratory exercise was done.

REMARKS

Miss Go commended the group for a job well done and was satisfied with the presentation. No
further questions were asked from both the preceptor and the students.