alterations in GI functions Flashcards
how is the anatomy and physiology of children’s GI tract different than adults?
- immature until about 2 years of age
- deficient in amylase, lipase, and trypsin until 4-6 months of age
- smaller stomach capacity and greater intestinal motility
- liver function is immature
what are possible causes of GI disorders?
- a congenital defect
- acquired disease
- infection
- injury
- structural problems (usually occur in 1st trimester when GI is developing)
- inflammatory disorder
what is necrotizing enterocolitis?
- an inflammatory disorder
- death of tissue in the small or large intestine because of inflammation
- may be caused by intestinal ischemia, bacterial or viral infection, immaturity of GI mucosa
why does necrotizing enterocolitis occur more commonly in premature infants?
- weaker immune systems
- less time to develop
what are the symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis
- manifests between 3-14 days of life up to 3 months old most commonly
- general signs of being sick
- vomiting and increased gastric residual
- irritability and lethargy
- abdominal distention
- bloody stools
- temperature instability
- rapid progression of shock
what is an ileostomy?
- a surgically-created opening in the abdomen through which the end of the ileum is brought up to the surface of the skin to provide an outlet for feces when a bowel obstruction or non-functioning structure prevents normal elimination
- may also be done to “rest” an area lower down after surgery
- can be temporary or permanent
- when temporary, there are often two holes
what are indications that may result in an ileostomy?
- bowel infections
- bowel injuries
- bowel obstruction
- cancer
- conditions that cause severe bowel inflammation
Central venous catheters are often used for TPN with pediatric patients, what are the 5 types of CVLs?
- short term, percutaneous
- tunneled
- PICC (peripherally inserted central catheters)
- implanted
- hemodialysis
what are complications that may occur with central venous lines?
- infection
- bleeding
- can be pulled out
- can become occluded
- can get an air emboli
- can be damaged
why are CVLs used for TPN on pediatric patients?
- children are often hard to poke
- TPN is hard on veins and easily lost
- TPN requires daily blood work, another reason to have a CVL!
why is total parenteral nutrition used?
- to provide intravenous nutritional support
- fluids usually contain glucose, amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, proteins, and lipids
- tailored to meet needs of pediatric patient
- can be used as primary therapy, adjunctive or sole source
what is the normal range for WBCs?
4.0-11.0
what is the normal range for Hgb
135-175
what is the normal range for platelets?
100-400
what is the normal range for MCV?
0.40-0.54
what is the normal range for sodium?
135-145
what is the normal range for potassium
3.5-5.1
what are complications associated with a cleft lip and/or palate?
- susceptibility to colds
- hearing loss
- speech defects (this can be helped by early surgery)
- larger than average number of dental cavities, missing/extra/malformed or displaced teeth
- otitis media because eustachian tubes don’t drain fluid properly from middle ear into throat
- feeding dificulties