Adult Care Final Exam Flashcards
What kind of questions should you ask during a GI assessment?
Any changes in appetite, weight, stool? Have you had any pain, N,V, dyspepsia? Usual diet looks like what? Alcohol consumption? Any food allergies? Family history? Any dissension or gas?
What do you need to look for/ keep in mind when assessing the abdomen?
Light palpation ONLY, Inspection and Auscultation : starts in RUQ
inspect, auscultate, palpalpate
What are the labs and diagnostics for GI?
CBC, AST and ALT (liver enzymes), Ammonia, Electrolytes (calcium), Amylase, Lipase, Bilirubin, CA and CEA, FOBT, FIT,
AST and ALT, and ammonia levels will be elevated during what disorders?
Liver disorders like hepatitis or cirrhosis
Excessive vomiting and diarrhea causes a loss in..?
electrolytes
What electrolyte will you specifically look at in a GI patient?
calcium
What is a FOBT?
Fecal occult blood test
NO NSAIDS prior to, no red meat or vitamin C doses above 250mg/day
What do you need to ensure you teach your patient before an X-ray?
No jewelry
What is an upper GI series?
Chest x-ray, supine abd, upright abd.
Evaluates hernias, abnormal air, bowel perf
What does NOT use radiation compared to a CT?
MRI
What does a CT scan look at?
Abnormalities in the abdomen, liver, pancreas, spleen, biliary system
What are some nursing considerations for a CT scan?
If using contrast, assess for allergies, ensure IV access, NPO for at least 4 hours prior, mild sedation if clausterphobic, takes 10-30 minutes
What is an abdominal ultrasound?
looks at the liver, spleen, pancreas, biliary system. Patient may need to be fasting to see certain organs, no other prep needed
What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
Looks at the GI wall and the digestive organs, performed through the endoscope, looks at lymph node, mucosal, pancreatic, stomach, and rectal tumors.
Similar prep to endoscopy
What does an EGD do?
visualizes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope.
can clip bleeding, use thermocoagulation, dilate to treat esophageal strictures, look at lesions
What are pre-op nursing interventions for an EGD?
do not take anticoagulants, aspirin, NSAIDS, unless absolutely necessary, can take all other prescribed medications, NPO 6-8 hrs prior, remove dentures, educate what will happen during the test, pt may get propfol or fentanyl for sedation and atropine to dry out secretions
What are post-op interventions for EGD?
check vitals every 15-30 min, NPO until gag reflux returns
What does an ERCP do?
Looks at the liver, gallblatter, bowel ducts, and pancreas, usually looking for an obstruction. Small incision in the sphincter around the gall bladder to remove any gallstone, billary duct strictures, can open up the strictures and take bopsies as well.
What are the nursing interventions for ERCP?
Pre and Post same as EGD
pH Monitoring
most accurate way to diagnose GERD, small catheter is placed through the nose to the esophagus and it keeps a running tab on the pH level, pt will need to keep a diary of activities and will wear it for 24-48 hours
What is GERD?
acid is released in to the esophagus causing corrosion, irritation and Barrets epithelium
What is barrels epithelium?
esophagus tries to heal and adapt, normal squamous epithelium changes into columnar epithelium which is precancerous
Contributing factors for GERD include…?
things that lower the esophageal pressure like smoking, alcohol, tomatoes, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits. Being overweight, obese, H.pylori
Signs and symptoms of GERD
Dyspepsia and regurgitation, abdominal pain, discomfort, uncomfortably full, nausea, frequent coughing at night