Gastrointestinal Case Studies Flashcards
Over 50 years of age
Long term smoking - sig
Other risk factors: genetics (family history - may get screened earlier), high fat diet (lot fast food), low activity, high ETOH (alchol) intake, hx of polyps, crohns, ulcerative colitis, H pylori, HPV, obesity
What risk factors did this client have for colorectal cancer?
Rectal bleeding
Anemia
Change in stool consistency or shape - obstruction/tumor can change shape or can have change in consistency
What are the most common signs/symptoms of colorectal cancer?
CBC may show decreased H/H - thinking about anemia
Fecal occult blood testing (positive)
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) may be elevated - not specific to colorectal cancer; tell might have cancer
CT scan
Colonoscopy: definitive test for the diagnosis
Liver function tests: may be elevated if metastasis to the liver has occurred
What types of diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about Mr. Moore’s condition and what might the laboratory tests show if he has colorectal cancer?
Screening at age 50 - colonoscopy
Fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy every 10 years
Diet – decrease fat and refined carbohydrates and increase fiber, eat baked or broiled foods, not fried food
Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption
Increase physical activity
What health promotion and maintenance interventions should patients practice to avoid a colorectal cancer diagnosis?
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Colon cancer treatment
Based on size of tumor, location, metastasis
Colon resection
Colectomy
Abdominoperineal (AP) resection
Surgery - Colon cancer treatment
Remove tumor and any lymph nodes
Colon resection
Remove colon with a colostomy or ileostomy
Colectomy
Remove sigmoid colon, rectum and anus
Abdominoperineal (AP) resection
The nurse is teaching a patient with colorectal cancer how to care for a newly created colostomy. Which patient statement reflects a correct understanding of the necessary self-management skills?
A. I will have my spouse change the bag for me
B. If I have leakage, I should reinforce the barrier with tape
C. A dark purple stoma is normal and would not concern me
D. I will apply nonalcoholic skin sealant around the stoma and allow it to dry prior to applying the bag
Answer: D
Alcohol: burning, dry it out, irriation
A clear ostomy pouch will be in place to allow for visualization of stoma
Assess the color and integrity of the stoma frequently
Should start functioning in 2-3 days
Stool consistency depends on where in the colon the stoma was placed:
Bag should be emptied when ⅓ to ½ full to prevent pulling
Entire Pouch (appliance) should be changed every 3-7 days
Lots of education needed - permanent/temp
Colostomy care
Many different types, will depend on where the stoma is located, how active the patient, size and curve of abdomen
A clear ostomy pouch will be in place to allow for visualization of stoma
Healthy stoma should be reddish or pink and moist and protrude about ¾ inch (2 cm) from the abdominal wall
May be slightly edematous and have a small amount of bleeding initially
Assess the color and integrity of the stoma frequently
Liquid: ascending colon or if has an ileostomy
Pasty: tranverse colon
More solid: descending colon and sigmoid
Stool consistency depends on where in the colon the stoma was placed:
Check surrounding skin, keep good seal, good assessment of stoma
Entire Pouch (appliance) should be changed every 3-7 days
Collaborate with CWON for education and ongoing stoma and pouch care
Good edu - wound care to know educated good as well
Lots of education needed - permanent/temp
Bowel is physically blocked by problems outside the intestine, in the bowel wall or within intestinal lumen
Ex. adhesions (outside) Crohn’s (within bowel walls), tumors (within intestinal lumen)
Most common causes in patients over 65 is diverticulitis, tumors, or fecal impaction
Describe the causes of mechanical intestinal obstructions.
Paralytic ileus
peristalsis is decreased or absent
Most common cause handling of the intestines during abdominal surgery
Describe the causes of nonmechanical intestinal obstructions.
Abdominal discomfort or pain
Visible peristaltic waves when observing abd
Upper or epigastric abdominal distention
Nausea and early on
Profuse vomiting
Obstipation - severe constipation; no gas/stools
Small bowel obstruction
Intermittent lower abdominal cramping
Lower abdominal distention
Minimal or no vomiting
Obstipation or ribbon-like stools - going around obstruction
No major fluid and electrolyte imbalances - not vomiting; more absorption
High pitched bowel sounds transitioning to absent bowel sounds
Large bowel obstruction
NPO
NGT including suction - lots output quickly and improves quickly esp if small bowel obstruction
Assess and record passage of flatus and character of bowel movements
Monitor VS
IVF - IV fluids; not want dehydration since vomiting
Weight
I/O
Assess and treat pain
Monitor for complications
What interventions are appropriate for Mrs. Jump’s SBO?
Indicative that peristalsis has returned
Assess and record passage of flatus and character of bowel movements
Monitor electrolyte imbalances
I/O
Cautiously use opioids to treat pain secondary to slowing movement on GI tract - further causing constipation - depends on how bad pain; do other things if possible
Assess and treat pain
Bowel perforation
Ischemic bowel
Peritonitis - inflammation of membrane lining of abdominal well of intestines
Monitor for complications
Creates widespread inflammation of mainly the rectum and rectosigmoid colon but can extend to the entire colon when the disease is extensive - all layers of bowel
Etiology: unknown; but some genetic components, immunologic, and environmental factors likely contribute to disease
Ulcerative colitis
In addition to the report of diarrhea, what other clinical manifestation might the client report?
A. Poor skin turgor
B. Confusion
C. Increased weight
D. Clay colored stool
Answer: A
Dehydration - lot of stool so at risk for dehydration; look at skin turgor and other s/s of dehydration
10-20 stools
What clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis make Molly at higher risk for decreased oxygenation and fatigue?
A. Bloody stools
B. Fever
C. Electrolyte abnormalities
D. Elevated inflammatory markers
Answer: A
Decreased Hgb so higher risk for decreased in oxygenation and when anemic would be tired
10-20 liquid/loose, bloody stools per day - decreased Hgb
Stool may contain mucus
Tenesmus (an unpleasant and urgent sensation to defecate)
Lower abdominal colicky pain relieved with defecation
Malaise
Anorexia
Anemia
Dehydration - poor skin turgor
Fatigue with anemia - decreased Hgb
Fever
Weight loss - due to stools
Anemia
Increased WBC
Elevated C-reactive protein and ESR - indicate inflammation
Decreased electrolytes - given number stools
Molly does not have any other GI symptoms at this time. What are some other symptoms she might experience? - Clinical manifestations:
Molly is scheduled for a flexible sigmoidoscopy and barium enema. How should the nurse explain the flexible sigmoidoscopy?
A. X-ray is used to visualize the large intestine after barium is instilled
B. Visual exam using a fiberoptic scope of the upper GI tract
C. Visual exam using a fiberoptic scope of the rectum and sigmoid colon
D. A digital rectal exam after an enema
Answer: C
Clear liquids typically the day before and sometime NPO the day of the procedure
One to two enemas the day of the procedure
Does not require total bowel cleanse as required for a colonoscopy
What type of prep is required for a sigmoidoscopy?
Increase fluids to facilitate the excretion of the barium from the colon - get barium out of colon: PO/IV
What post op procedure instructions should the nurse include post barium enema?