Gastrointestinal-IBD, Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, Colorectal Cancer, Cirrhosis Flashcards
What are the parts and jobs of the digestive system?
The digestive system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, anus, and organs like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, all important for digestion and waste removal.
What is a stoma in surgery?
A stoma is an opening made in the belly during surgery, allowing part of the bowel or urinary tract to be outside the body.
How should a nurse check a stoma after surgery?
The nurse should check the stoma’s color, size, and the skin around it, noting any changes regularly.
Why is the color of a stoma important?
A healthy stoma should be pink or red; pale color may mean anemia, black can mean tissue death, and other colors may show poor blood flow.
What emotional support do patients need after ostomy surgery?
Patients need emotional support to deal with changes in body image and to adjust to their new situation.
Is ostomy surgery more common in ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease?
Ostomy surgery is more common in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn’s disease.
What percentage of ulcerative colitis patients go into remission with treatment?
About 80% of ulcerative colitis patients go into remission with treatment.
Why is an ostomy created in surgery?
An ostomy is created to redirect waste from a damaged rectum or colon when normal waste removal is not possible.
What are the signs of Crohn’s disease in simple terms?
Crohn’s disease causes swelling in the intestines, leading to symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and issues like infections and blockages.
What diet is recommended for managing Crohn’s disease?
A high-calorie, high-protein, low-residue diet is recommended, avoiding hard-to-digest foods and dairy.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
Crohn’s disease is diagnosed through colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy with biopsies and imaging tests like CT scans.
What is a stricture in Crohn’s disease?
A stricture is a narrowing of the bowel that can happen due to inflammation and scarring from Crohn’s disease.
What are common symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and possible joint or skin issues.
Do men and women get Crohn’s disease equally?
Both men and women can get Crohn’s disease, but it is slightly more common in women.
Why are nutritional assessments important in Crohn’s disease?
Nutritional assessments help check the patient’s nutrition, find deficiencies, and guide dietary changes to prevent malnutrition.
What complications can arise from Crohn’s disease?
Complications can include bowel obstructions, liver issues, and inflammation in other parts of the body.
How is Crohn’s disease different from ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis mainly affects the colon and rectum.
What is the goal of managing flare-ups in Crohn’s disease?
The goal is to rest the bowel, control inflammation, prevent infection, and provide symptom relief.
What are conservative treatment options for Crohn’s disease?
Conservative treatment includes not eating, using an NG tube, IV fluids, and pain control.
What are the therapy goals for Crohn’s disease patients?
The goals include taking medications, reducing discomfort, avoiding complications, and making lifestyle changes.
How does nutrition change during Crohn’s disease flare-ups?
During flare-ups, patients may not eat, and when they can, a high-calorie, low-residue diet is often recommended.
What medications are used for Crohn’s disease?
Medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, steroids, immune suppressants, and vitamins.
What surgical options are available for Crohn’s disease?
Surgical options include removing part of the bowel, fixing strictures, draining abscesses, and creating an ostomy.
What are the main differences between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease?
Differences include that Crohn’s disease is not cured by surgery, ostomy creation is less common, and there are variations in diarrhea types.
What lifestyle changes help manage Crohn’s disease?
Lifestyle changes include dietary adjustments, reducing stress, and overall health improvements.
How is nutrition supported in Crohn’s disease?
Nutritional support can be given through feeding tubes or IV nutrition, especially during flare-ups.
What are the effects of hydrocortisone?
Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation, suppresses the immune system, and affects glucose and protein levels.
What is the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis has non-inflamed pouches in the colon, while diverticulitis is when those pouches become inflamed.
What are corticosteroids and why are they important?
Corticosteroids are hormones from the adrenal glands that help treat autoimmune diseases by reducing inflammation.
How does hydrocortisone affect the immune system?
Hydrocortisone lowers the immune response, protecting healthy cells from being attacked.
What do ‘osis’ and ‘itis’ mean in medical terms?
‘Osis’ means a disease condition, while ‘itis’ means inflammation.
What are common side effects of hydrocortisone?
Common side effects include high blood sugar, dizziness, headaches, low blood pressure, and weight gain.
Where are diverticula usually found?
Diverticula are most often found in the sigmoid colon but can occur anywhere in the digestive tract.
What is the prevalence of diverticular disease by age?
About 5% of people have diverticular disease by age 40, and over 50% by age 80.
What are common ways to deliver corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids can be given topically, through injections, or orally.
What are the symptoms of diverticulosis?
Diverticulosis can be symptomless or cause mild cramping and pain, usually relieved by bowel movements.
What complications can occur with diverticulitis?
Complications include perforation, infection, and bowel obstruction.
How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
Diverticulitis is diagnosed through blood tests, stool tests, and imaging studies like CT scans.
What is the treatment for acute diverticulitis?
Acute diverticulitis is treated with no food, IV antibiotics, fluids, and possibly surgery.
What diet is recommended for diverticulosis?
A high-fiber diet is recommended, along with laxatives during symptom-free periods.
What is the nursing care for acute diverticulitis?
Nursing care includes keeping the patient NPO, giving fluids, monitoring for complications, and administering antibiotics.
What is psyllium (Metamucil) used for?
Psyllium is a fiber laxative that helps increase stool bulk and fluid, taken with water.
How do sennosides (Senokot) work?
Sennosides are laxatives that keep water in the intestines and stimulate bowel movements.
How is diverticulosis managed compared to diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis is managed with a high-fiber diet, while diverticulitis needs more intensive treatment.
What does polyethylene glycol do in Lax-A-Day?
Polyethylene glycol draws water into the intestines, softening stool and promoting bowel movements.
What is Lax-A-Day used for?
Lax-A-Day is used to relieve occasional constipation by softening stool.
What are common side effects of Lax-A-Day?
Common side effects include stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
What is an osmotic laxative?
An osmotic laxative, like Lax-A-Day, draws water into the intestines to help with bowel movements.
What are some reasons not to take oral laxatives?
Reasons include unknown abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and certain medical conditions.
How should Lax-A-Day be taken?
Lax-A-Day should be mixed with a drink and taken as directed by a healthcare provider.
Discuss the importance of hydration for a client with diverticulosis.
It is important for clients with diverticulosis to drink adequate amounts of water daily to help maintain bowel health and prevent complications.
What is the typical onset of action for Lax-A-Day?
Lax-A-Day usually produces a bowel movement within one to three days of use, although it may take longer for some individuals.
Explain the recommended duration of use for Lax-A-Day.
Lax-A-Day is intended for short-term use and is less likely to cause dependence compared to stimulant laxatives.
Describe the common type of colorectal cancer.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colorectal cancer.
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer in simple terms?
Symptoms can include bleeding from the rectum, changes in bowel habits, tiredness, stomach pain, bloating, thin stools, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, weight loss, and a feeling of not being able to fully empty the bowels.
How is colorectal cancer diagnosed in simple terms?
Doctors check for colorectal cancer by asking about your health, doing a physical exam, and using tests like a colonoscopy, blood tests, and imaging scans.
Define the collaborative care approaches for colorectal cancer.
Collaborative care includes surgical therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
What are some nursing diagnoses for colorectal cancer?
Nursing diagnoses can include constipation due to slow digestion, anxiety about health issues, and trouble coping with stress.
What are the goals for treating colorectal cancer?
Goals are to give the right treatment, help with normal bowel habits, improve quality of life, relieve pain, and provide emotional support.
How often should average risk patients in Canada be screened for colorectal cancer?
Average risk patients aged 50-74 years should be screened every 1-2 years.
Explain the significance of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening.
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening.
What is the role of the FIT test in colorectal cancer detection?
The FIT test helps identify stool for tiny amounts of blood, which may indicate colorectal cancer or polyps.
What happens to the liver after injury or removal?
The liver can grow back about 70% of its size after damage, but there are limits. In cirrhosis, the liver tries to heal but forms lumps that can distort its shape.
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is when the liver gets damaged and scarred. It can be compensated (liver still works well) or decompensated (liver doesn’t work well and symptoms appear).
Define non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
NAFLD refers to a range of conditions caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver, not related to alcohol consumption.
How does cirrhosis affect the liver?
In compensated cirrhosis, liver tests are normal. In decompensated cirrhosis, tests show problems, indicating the liver isn’t working well.
Explain the late complications associated with cirrhosis.
Late complications of cirrhosis include portal hypertension, jaundice, pulmonary edema, and ascites, which develop as liver function worsens.
What are the symptoms of jaundice in cirrhosis patients?
Jaundice in cirrhosis patients happens because the liver can’t remove bilirubin well. Symptoms can be mild to severe, and there may also be itching.
What blood problems can occur due to cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis can cause low platelets, low white blood cells, anemia, and issues with blood clotting.
How does cirrhosis affect hormone function?
Cirrhosis makes it hard for the liver to process hormones, which can cause issues like breast growth in men, smaller testicles, missed periods, and vaginal problems.
Do cirrhosis patients have pain management issues?
Yes, cirrhosis patients often have pain management issues. They can use less Tylenol and prefer narcotics because their liver doesn’t work well.
Describe the role of liver enzymes in diagnosing liver disease.
Liver enzymes such as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) are crucial in diagnosing liver disease. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate liver damage or dysfunction.
What are the main management strategies for cirrhosis?
For cirrhosis, avoid alcohol and certain medications, get enough rest, and manage symptoms.
How is ascites treated in cirrhosis?
Ascites treatment includes a low-salt diet, diuretics, and draining fluid if needed.
What is hepatic encephalopathy and what causes it?
Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain disorder caused by high ammonia levels due to liver problems.
What are the risks of portal hypertension in cirrhosis?
Portal hypertension can cause complications like enlarged spleen, fluid buildup, and bleeding from varices.
What is paracentesis and why is it done?
Paracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen to relieve pressure and pain.
Why is albumin important for ascites management?
Albumin helps maintain blood volume and kidney function in patients with ascites.
How do liver function tests help assess liver health?
Liver function tests measure proteins to check for liver damage or problems.
What does it mean if alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are high?
High ALP levels may indicate issues with the gallbladder or other organs.
How does lactulose help with hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose helps lower ammonia levels by trapping it in the gut and removing it.
What is intersectionality in gastrointestinal health?
Intersectionality looks at how social factors like race and gender affect gastrointestinal health.
How is the gastrointestinal system assessed?
Assessment includes patient history, physical exams, and tests like endoscopy.
What is GERD and how is it managed?
GERD is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
What are the characteristics of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?
PUD involves sores in the stomach or duodenum, often causing pain, treated with acid-reducing medications.
What are the major types of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)?
IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both causing chronic inflammation in the gut.
What is the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis?
Diverticulosis has pouches in the colon, while diverticulitis is when those pouches become inflamed.
What is the role of laxatives in gastrointestinal practice?
Laxatives help relieve constipation by promoting bowel movements.
What is colorectal cancer and how is it managed?
Colorectal cancer is a growth in the colon or rectum, managed with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
What are the main characteristics of Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?
UC is a chronic disease causing inflammation and ulcers in the colon, leading to symptoms like diarrhea.
What complications can occur with Ulcerative Colitis?
Complications include bleeding, perforation, and increased risk of colorectal cancer.
How is Ulcerative Colitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made through colonoscopy and imaging tests.
What are nursing diagnoses related to Ulcerative Colitis?
Nursing diagnoses may include diarrhea and imbalanced nutrition due to dietary issues.
What are common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
Common symptoms include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
What assessment techniques are used for Ulcerative Colitis?
Assessment includes monitoring vital signs, abdominal checks, and stool tests.
What is the pathophysiology of Ulcerative Colitis?
UC involves inflammation and ulcers in the colon, causing diarrhea and pain.
How does Ulcerative Colitis affect nutrition?
UC can lead to poor nutrition due to nutrient loss and absorption issues.
What psychosocial concerns are associated with Ulcerative Colitis?
Concerns include feelings of isolation and anxiety about flare-ups.
What are the goals of nutritional support in Ulcerative Colitis?
Goals include managing nutrition, controlling inflammation, and providing education.
What surgical options are available for Ulcerative Colitis?
Surgical options include removing the colon and creating an ileostomy.
