Exam 1: GI Flashcards
Stomach breakdown/digestion is caused by what?
HCl-
HCl- also helps kill bacteria
Stomach contractions are regulated by which nervous system
PsNS - involuntary muscles
Stomach nerves are modulated with what?
Acetylcholine
Disrupted by anti-cholinergics
Why is vomiting dangerous
It disrupts electrolyte balance of K+, H+ and Cl- in stomach
SI
- Site of chemical digestion (thanks to enzymes secreted by liver and pancreas)
- Main site of water reabsorption
- Large surface area designed for maximizing absorption of nutrients and minerals
- Three distinct segments
- duodenum
- jejeunum
- ileum
LI
- additional water reabsorption
- forming poop
- colonic bacteria synthezie vitamin K, hiamine, and riboflavin
- Appendix - very thin outlet, easily blocked
Disorders of oropharynx
- dysphagia
- xerostomia
- thrush
- stomatitis
Disorders of stomach
- Gastritis
- GERD
- Hiatal Hernia
Peptic Ulcer Disease subcategories
- Gastric
2. Duodenal
Disorders of intestines
- Inguinal, umbilical or ventral hernia
- bowel obstruction
- divertiulitis/diverticulosis
- appendicitis
Dyspepsia
Indigestion
Subjective
Nonspecific abdominal/digestive discomfort that may manifest as bloating, fullness, or a sharp burning/gnawing pain
Anorexia
Loss of appetite due to some disease condition
Common in COPD, cancer patients, or patients with GI conditions
Cachexia
weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness
associated with anorexia
Interventions for anorexia
nutritional supplements, figure out what foods they like or NG tube
Nausea and vomiting causes
Lots of potential causes:
- distension or increased pressure in GI tract triggers mechanoreceptors in gut –> nausea (also decreased GI motility)
- Drugs (brain has chemoreceptor trigger zone - registers drugs as position and want to throw them up - opioids)
Nausea and vomiting risks
- electrolyte abnormalities
- threat to airway
- dehydration/malnutrition (might have to give IV fluids in nausea severe)
- tooth decay
Why is constipation so common in hospitals?
opioids, dehydration, and anticholinergic medications are all typical post-surgical cocktail
What are nursing interventions for constipation?
Intervene early:
- hydration
- mobilize
- eating meals (fiber)
- Sitting the bed up will help immediately with breathing if v distended
- if v distended, use an IS to monitor lung capacity
What are risks associated with constipation?
Any condition that causes abdominal distension can put patients at risk for impaired breathing by reducing diaphragm’s ability to completely lower
Atelectasis since lungs aren’t able to fully expand –> risk for pneumonia
What is atelectasis?
a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid
What is xerostomia and what causes it?
Dry mouth often caused by radiation treatments or anticholinergic medications; can be caused by autoimmune disease (like Sjogren’s syndrome)
What are interventions for xerostomia?
Offer pt frequent sips of water
Artificial saliva is also available
What are risks fo xerostomia?
Malnutrition b/c tastes buds not working well and probably don’t want to eat
What is thrush?
Candida albicans superinfection – common consequence of antibiotics
Appears as white, fungal appearing film in mouth
(also vaginal thrush)
How is thrush treated?
Oral nystatin
What is stomatitis?
General word for irritation/inflammation of the mouth
What causes stomatitis?
Can be caused by ulcerations, infections (like herpes zoster) or many other conditions (bleeding gums)
What are interventions for stomatitis?
Prescribe softer diets first
monitor calorie intake
What is dysphagia?
Any difficulty/painfulness when swallowing
subjective
discomfort, but does not mean food is in trachea
What are causes of dysphagia?
- Stroke - most common
- Also, poor dentition (mechanics of mouth change when lose teeth –> loss of more teeth –> no teeth –> bone erodes –> altered swallowing)
- scar tissue 2/2 GERD
- Head and neck cancer
- degenerative neuro disorders
good musculoskeletal synchronization is required to get air into the esophagus rather than trachea.
What are some interventions for dysphagia?
Monitoring patient’s ability to swallow/chew/take pills
If a patient is coughing/choking - bad sign.
- sit patient upright
- ensure good dentition
- ensure good musculoskeletal function
- bedside swallow study
- formal swallow study with SLP
- assess O2 saturation and breath sounds if you are concerned that your patient has aspirated
What is the main risk of dysphagia?
ASPIRATION
What are some common diets for dysphagia?
Diets in order of severity:
- regular diet
- mechanical soft diet (small pieces)
- pureed
Liquids:
- thin liquids
- thickened liquids (nectar or honey thick
What is Helicobacter pylori a major cause of?
gastritis
peptic ulcer disease
What does H pylori do?
H pylori likes to burrow into the stomach lining and cause inflammation in cells –> gastritis and peptic ulcer disease
70% of infections are asymptomatic
What is gastritis?
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
What usually causes gastritis?
H. pylori or NSAID use (NSAIDs inhibit PG production which ups mucous and decreases acidity of stomach. This causes stomach to have less mucus and more acidity)
Also associated with alcohol and tobacco use
What would you look for in an assessment for gastritis?
- dyspepsia (gnawing epigastric pain)
- anorexia
- nausea/vomiting
- blood in stool –> potential anemia