gastrointestinal Flashcards
pancreatitis patho
autodigestion of the pancreas
function:
endocrine (insulin)
exocrine (digestive enzymes)
two types: acute and chronic
causes: #1 gallbladder disease #2 alcohol
**one system– when one part gets sick it’ll all get sick
pancreatitis s/s
pain (increases with eating)
abdominal distention/ascites (losing protein rich fluids like enzymes and blood in the abdomen)
abdominal mass (swollen pancreas)
rigid, board-like abdomen (bleeding that can lead to peritonitis)
bruising around umbilical area (Cullen’s sign)
bruising in the flank area (Grey-Turner’s sign)
fever (inflammation)
n/v
jaundice
hypotension (bleeding or ascites)
pancreatitis diagnosis
*****serum lipase and amylase (digestive enzymes) high WBC high blood sugar ALT/AST high longer PT & aPTT (risk for bleeding) high serum bilirubin high h&h (dehydration) low h&h (bleeding)
amylase normal levels
30-220
lipase normal levels
0-160
normal AST
0-35
normal ALT
10-36
pancreatitis treatment
control pain
decrease gastric secretions (NPO, NGT to suction)
bedrest
*****want the stomach dry and empty if anything gets in the body will want to make enzymes thats what is causing the pain
pain meds:
PCA narcotics
fentanyl patches
anticholinergics to dry the stomach:
benztropine
diphenoxylate
GI protectants:
pantoprazole
famotidine
antacids
maintain fluid and electrolytes
maintain nutritional status
insulin (pancreas is sick, TNA/TPN)
daily weights
eliminate alcohol
AA if that’s the cause
hemoglobin levels
male: 14-18
female: 12-16
hematocrit levels
male: 42-52
female: 37-37
***** if your liver is sick
- ** worry about bleeding
- ** decrease dose of meds
- ** never give them acetaminophen (antidote is acetylcysteine)
4 major functions of the liver
detoxifying the body
helps the blood clot
liver helps metabolize (break down) drugs
synthesizes albumin
cirrhosis patho
liver cells destroyed and replaced with connective/scar tissue
alters circulation within the liver
BP in liver goes up (portal hypertension)
cirrhosis s/s
firm, nodular liver jaundice abdominal pain (liver stretched) ***not normal to be able to palpate liver chronic dyspepsia (GI upset) change in bowel habits ascites splenomegaly fatigue peripheral edema anemia can progress to hepatic encephalopathy/coma (ammonia build up)
cirrhosis diagnostics
low serum albumin
high ALT/AST
ultrasound
CT/MRI
liver biopsy--confirms diagnosis pre-procedure: clotting studies pre-procedure (PT, INR, aPTT) VS pre-procedure supine w/ R arm behind the head exhale and hold breath to get diaphragm out of the way post procedure: lie on R side VS (worried about hemorrhage)
***if unsure why they’re swelling, ask for albumin levels
cirrhosis treatment
antacids vitamins diuretics no more alcohol i and o weights rest bleeding precautions (no IM injections, no NSAIDs) abdominal girth (ascites) paracentesis: remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity (ascites) have them void positing sitting up VS (shocky clients BP goes down and pulse up)
monitor jaundice (good skin care)
- **avoid narcotics (liver cannot metabolize drugs)
- **diet (low protein, low Na)
hepatic coma patho
protein breaks down into ammonia
liver converts it to urea
urea is excreted through kidneys
when liver is impaired it cannot make the conversion, ammonia builds up in the blood and causes a decrease in LOC
hepatic coma s/s
mental changes motor issues difficult to awaken asterixis (liver flap-hand tremors) handwriting changes reflexes will decrease EEG will be slow fetor (breath smells like ammonia)