diarrhea and nausea/vomiting Flashcards
what is diarrhea? (3)
- increased frequency of bowel movements (more than 3 a day) -increased amount of stool (more than 200g a day)
- altered consistency (increased liquidity of stool)
diarrhea is associated with…
urgency, perianal discomfort, incontinence
any condition that causes….. can produce diarrhea
- decreased intestinal secretions
- decreased mucosal absorption
- altered motility
two underlying potential causes of diarrhea?
inflammatory bowel disease
and
lactose intolerance
acute diarrhea=
infection, self-limiting 7-14 days
chronic diarrhea=
2-3 weeks, may return sporadically
common causes:
-tumours, IBD, AIDs, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, addisons disease
causes of diarrhea? tons
medication (stool softeners, laxatives, thyroid hormone, antibiotics, chemotherapy, antiarrhythmics, antihypertension, magnesium based), tube feed, metabolic and endocrine disorders (addisons, thyroid, diabetes) viral or bacterial infections
-celiac, sphincters defect, zollinger-ellison syndrome, paralytic ileus, obstruction, AIDs)
secretory diarrhea=
high volume, increased production and secretion of water and electrolytes by intestinal mucosa into lumen
-associated with toxins and neoplasms
osmotic diarrhea=
occurs when water is pulled into intestines by osmotic pressure of unabsorbed particles, slowing the reabsorption of water
-caused by lactase deficiency, pancreatic dysfunction, or intestinal hemorrhage
malabsorptive diarrhea=
inhibiting effective absorption of nutritions manifested by marked of malnutrition that include hypoalbuminemia—> low serum albumin and intestinal mucosa swelling, liquid stool
-combines mechanical and biochemical actions
infectious diarrhea=
invade the mucosa, c. diff common
exudative diarrhea=
caused by changes in mucosal integrity, epithelial loss or tissue destruction by radiation or chemo
manifestations
-abdominal cramps, distension, borborygmus, anorexia, thirst
-painful spasmodic contractions of the anus, ineffective straining (tenesmus) may occur
-
nocturnal diarrhea-
diabetic
watery stools=
characteristic of small bowel
loose, semisolid stools=
large bowel
voluminous, greasy stools=
intestinal malabsorption
blood mucus and pus in stool=
suggest inflammatory enteritis or colitis
oil droplets on the toilet water=
indicate pancreatic insufficency
assessment and diagnostics for diarrhea?
- CBC
- serum chemistries
- urinalysis
- stool exam routine and parasitic
- infectious, toxins, blood
- fat electrolytes
- endoscopy or barium enema
complications of diarhea?
- CARDIAC DYSRHYTHMIAS because significant fluid and electrolyte loss (potassium!!)
- urinary output of less than 30ml per hour for 2-3 hours… muscle weakness, paresthesia, hypotension, anorexia
- POTASSIUM LESS THAN 3.5 REPORT
- skin care issues from irritant dermatitis
geri considerations?
- older, dehydrated more quickly, develop lower potassium levels
- muscle weakness, dysrhythmias or decreased peristalsis motility—> paralytic ileus
- if taking digoxin be aware of how quickly dehydration and hypokalemia occur with diarrhea
medical management of diarrhea?
-antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, antidiarrheals reduce severity and treat underlying
nursing management/assessments for diarrhea?
-assess and monitor characteristics, pattern, health history, diet, intake
-abd auscultation, palpation, inspection of mucous membranes and skin
-stool samples
-encourage bed rest, avoid caffeine, carbonated beverages, very hot or cold foods (stimulate intestinal motility)
report dysrhythmias or change in LOC
pediatric considerations for GI system?
- mouth is highly vascular, common port for infection
- lower esophageal sphincter prevents regurgitation into esophagus, not fully developed until 1 moth of age… so tend to regurgitate after feeds until 1 year
- childs stomach capacity increases with age (10-20 ml for newborn, 200ml for 2 month, 1500ml for adolescent)
at what age is the gastric contents equal to the adults?
by 6 months
intestinal growth spurts occur…
1-3 years. 15-16 years
clincal manifestations of GI dysfunction in children?
- growth failure
- spitting up or regurgitation
- vomiting, projectile vomiting (vigorous peristalic waves and pyloric stenosis or spasm)
- nausea
- constipation
- encopresis (more water stools)
- diarrhea
- bowel sounds (hypo,hyper,absent)
- abd distension
- pain
- GI bleeding
- jaundice
- dysphagia
- dysfunctional swallowing
- fever
antiemetics=
given to supress nausea and vomiting
emesis=
complex reflex by activating vomiting center, a nucleus of neurons in the medulla or oblongata