ch 47 potter bowel elimination Flashcards
is a single tube that extends from the mouth to the anus and includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines
alimentary canal
of the alimentary canal and its accessory organs
GI tract consists
are the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
accessory organs
absorbs high volumes of fluids, making fluid and electrolyte balance a key function of the GI system.
GI tract absorbs
from the gallbladder and pancreas.
GI tract also receives secretions
chew food, breaking it down into a size suitable for swallowing
teeth
produced by the salivary glands in the mouth, dilutes and softens the food in the mouth for easier swallowing
Saliva
, a circular muscle that prevents air from entering the esophagus and food from refluxing into the throat.
upper esophageal sphincter
travels down the esophagus with the aid of peristalsis, which is a contraction that propels food through the length of the GI tract.
bolus of food
which lies between the esophagus and the upper end of the stomach
cardiac sphincter,
prevents reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus.
sphincter
storage of swallowed food and liquid, mixing of food with digestive juices into a substance called chyme, and regulated emptying of its contents into the small intestine.
stomach performs 3 tasks:
hydrochloric acid (HCl), mucus, the enzyme pepsin, and intrinsic factor
stomach produces and secretes
help to digest protein.
Pepsin and HCl
protects the stomach mucosa from acidity and enzyme activity.
Mucus
is essential in the absorption of vitamin B12.
Intrinsic factor (protein)
facilitates both digestion and absorption
Movement within the small intestine, occurring by peristalsis,
the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.
small intestine is divided into 3 sections
carbohydrates and proteins.
jejunum (2nd part of intestines)
absorb most nutrients and electrolytes in the small intestine.
duodenum and jejunum
is approximately 3.7 m (12 feet) long and absorbs water, fats, and bile salts, vitamins, iron
ileum
enter the small intestine from the pancreas and the liver to further break down nutrients into a form usable by the body.
Digestive enzymes and bile
lower GI tract is called the large intestine or colon because it is larger in diameter than the small intestine.
large intestine or colon
the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.
large intestine is divided into
large intestine is the
primary organ of bowel elimination.
waves of peristalsis through the ileocecal valve (i.e., a circular muscle layer that prevents regurgitation back into the small intestine)
Digestive fluid enters the large intestine by
allows it to accommodate and eliminate large quantities of waste and gas (flatus).
muscular tissue of the colon a
absorption, secretion, and elimination.
colon has 3 functions:
resorbs a large volume of water (up to 1.5 L) and significant amounts of sodium and chloride daily
colon resorbs
peristalsis is abnormally fast, there is less time for water to be absorbed, and
the stool will be watery.
peristaltic contractions slow down, water continues to be absorbed,
hard mass of stool forms, resulting in constipation .
pushes undigested food toward the rectum
Mass peristalsis
contains vertical and transverse folds of tissue that help to control expulsion of fecal contents during defecation
rectum
Each fold contains veins that can become distended from pressure during straining. This distention results in
hemorrhoid formation.
contains a rich supply of sensory nerves that allow people to tell when there is solid, liquid, or gas that needs to be expelled and aids in maintaining continence.
anal canal
have a smaller stomach capacity, less secretion of digestive enzymes, and more rapid intestinal peristalsis
Infants
experience rapid growth and increased metabolic rate
Adolescents
may have decreased chewing ability. Partially chewed food is not digested as easily.
- Peristalsis declines, and esophageal emptying slows.
- Muscle tone in the perineal floor and anal sphincter weakens, which sometimes causes difficulty in controlling defecation
Older adults
the digestive process is accelerated, and peristalsis is increased. Side effects of increased peristalsis include diarrhea and gaseous distention.
emotional stress impacts bowel elimination
the autonomic nervous system may slow impulses that decrease peristalsis, resulting in constipation.
depressed impacts bowel elimination
Slowing of peristalsis during the third trimester often leads to constipation.
third trimester (pregnancy)
block parasympathetic impulses to the intestinal musculature
Inhaled anesthetic agents
Any surgery that involves direct manipulation of the bowel temporarily stops peristalsis. This condition, called an ileus, usually lasts about 24 to 48 hours.
ileus
often resulting in constipation
opioid analgesics slow peristalsis and contractions
in diarrhea
antibiotics decrease intestinal bacterial flora, often resulting
objective measure of stool characteristics
Bristol Stool Form Scale
that alter defecation or fecal characteristics.
laxatives, antacids, iron supplements, and analgesics
Observable peristalsis is often
a sign of intestinal obstruction
occur with small intestine obstruction and inflammatory disorders.
High-pitched and hyperactive bowel sounds
with an ileus such as after abdominal surgery but may also mean that you did not capture the bowel sounds when you were assessing them.
Absent (no auscultated bowel sounds) or hypoactive sounds occur
identifies underlying abdominal structures and detects lesions, fluid, or gas within the abdomen.
-Masses, tumors, and fluid are dull to percussion.
Percussion on abdomen
Gas or flatulence creates a
tympanic note
is to have soft-formed, painless bowel movements
Normal hemorrhoids should be
Proper diet, fluids, and regular exercise improve the likelihood of stools being soft
improve stools by
, passage of hard stools causes bleeding and irritation
signs for constipation