Bowel Elimination Flashcards
Vascular Maneuver
Increase the pressure to expel feces by contracting abdominal muscles while maintaining a closed airway.
Hemorrhoids
Distended blood vessels within or protruding from the anus.
Bowel training
Assists to the patient to have regular, soft formed stools.
Peroxidase
An enzyme present in hemoglobin
Fecal occult blood
“Hidden”
Some blood may be visible in the blood and other may be occult.
Indirect visualization studies
Radiographic views of the lower GI tract.
Paralytic Ileus
Cessation of bowel peristalsis.
Ostomy
Where the fecal matter is expelled through a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall.
Stoma
Surgical opening in the abdominal wall for feces to be expelled.
Effluent
“Output; fecal matter”
Diverticulitis
When pouches on the walls of the colon become infected.
Diverticulosis
Development of saclike outpouchings of mucosa through the muscle layers of the colon wall.
Major function of the GI tract…
- Digest/absorb nutrients
2. Eliminate food waste products as feces.
Structures of the GI tract…
Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, & anus.
3 parts of the small intestine and what do they do?
- Duodenum (breakdown of food and begins absorption)
- Jejunum (absorbs carbohydrates and proteins)
- Ileum (absorption of fats, vitamins, minerals, and water)
Where is the ileocecal valve located?
Connects the ileum to the cecum.
5 parts of the large intestine and what they do…
- Cecum
- Ascending colon
- Transverse colon
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon (twists downward to connect to the rectum).
Is the anus avascular or vascular? What could this lead to?
Vascular - could lead to hemorrhoids.
Defacation
The process by which the bowel eliminates waste.
- If stool passes through the GI slowly, what can you expect it’s characteristics to look like?
- If stool passed through the GI quickly, what can you expect the characteristics to look like?
- Hard and dry.
2, Diarrhea - wet and unformed.
Pseudomembranous Colitis
Damage to mucosa of the colon; inflammation and nodules; caused by toxins produced by C. diff.
Treatments for C. diff…
Stool transplant
Change antibiotic to Flagyl, Vanco, or Difiid
Probiotics
Stop previous antibiotic treatment
Stool softeners do what?
Enable moisture and fat to penetrate the stool, softening it and making it easier to pass.
Osmotic Laxatives do what?
Works by drawing water into the bowel from surrounding tissue, resulting i bowel distention.
Stimulant laxatives do what?
Bowel irritants that cause the intestinal wall to start peristalsis.
Bulking Agent does what?
High in fiber; must be combined with sufficient fluid intake to be effective. The fiber attracts fluid into the colon.
Lubricant Laxatives do what?
Coat the stool and the GI tract with a thin waterproof layer. Example: Mineral oil.
Mastication
“Chewing”
Direct Visualization Studies
Used for diagnostic and treatment purposes; invasive procedures and are conducted by a gastroenterologist who inserts various instruments.
