GI Flashcards
What is the most common viral cause of belly aches in kids?
Gastroenteritis
What is the most common surgical cause for belly aches in children?
Appendicitis
What is colic pain characterized by? When does it peak? How long does it last? Is there long lasting effects?
Excessive crying for 3 or more hours a day most days of the week
Peaks at 4-8 weeks of age and can last as long as 12 weeks
No impact on development or cognitive abilities
When does function abdominal pain most common? Why? How can this be treated?
Peak in preschool (especially boys)
Potty training is developing and there can often be a dysfunction in the patten of holding the BM –> pain –> large hard stool –> more pain
Fiber, fruit, bowel retraining habits, water, miralax, veggies
What is chronic pain categorized by?
3 pain episodes that have been present over 3 months
Where is the most common area for pain? Why should you be concerned about that area?
Periumbilicus
Appendicitis begins in that area and localizes
What history should you be getting from parents and child about the pain?
- Pain assessment (PQRST - location, quality, triggers, relieving, onset and duration)
- Associated symptoms like change in appetite, vomit, diarrhea, fever, rash, joint aches/pains, weight loss
- Treatment tried
Should you give you child anti motility drugs for diarrhea?
NO it can mask s/s and prolong the illness
When should you worry about abdominal pain?
- Severe, localized pain
- Blood in emesis or stool
- Fever (infection/autoimmune)
- Appears ill/lethargic
- Losing weight
- Nocturnal pain
- Periumbilical pain
- If pain proceeds vomiting/diarrhea
What is a concern if the patient has pain and they are also lethargic?
Shock/sepsis concern
When visually inspecting the abdomen, what should you look for? What could these mean?
Distention: obstruction
Abdominal contours: abdominal mass
Discoloration like bruising: bowel incarcerations or perfusion is altered
Rebound and guarding
What does an increase/decrease in bowel sounds mean? What would they sound like for an obstruction
Increase: excessive peristalsis, gastroeneritis OR before level of obstruction
Decrease: decrease peristalsis, peritonitis/apendicitis OR after level of obstruction
What spot should you palpate/percuss last?
The spot that is painful
What are diagnostics tests that should be run for abdominal pain?
CBC, CMP, UA
Inflammatory markers: ESR, CRP
Pregnancy test
Stool cultures
Ultrasound/CT
Barium enema and x ray
Endoscopy
Colonoscpy
Would you use an ultrasound or CT in peds?
Ultrasound because their bellies are thin so you can see better
What are 6 important nursing diagnosis r/t GI?
- FTT or impaired weight gain
- Fluid volume deficit
- Pain
- Delayed G&D
- Risk for aspiration
- Risk for altered perfusion
What on the Bristol stool chart considered normal?
Type 3 and Type 4
How do you evaluate interventions?
Weight Gian
Pain relief
Appetite
BMs
UOP
What are nursing interventions that can be done for GI issues?
- IVF
- I&Os
- PEWS/VS
- Focused GI/respiratory
- Surgical care
- G-tube care
- Bowel regimen
- Pain management
Interventions to increase weight Gian/nutrition
Dietician, enteral feedings and supplemental nutrition
How do you decrease the risk of aspiration?
Clear airway
Positioning
Small feeds
What is gastroesophageal reflux? When does It peak? What is the treatment?
Normal baby spit up, happy spitters, asymptomatic
Peaks in 4-6 months
Resolves spontaneously, at 6 months normal foods so it will decrease and by 18 months will be completely gone
Why does gastroesophageal reflux peak at 4-6 months?
Generally happens with increase pressure on the abdomen
Sitting and rolling
When does GERD occur?
Preemies and complex diseases
How does GERD present in children?
Pain
FTT and poor weight gain
Cry during feeds
Arch away from feeding
Look like it is hurting to swallow
What does GERD increase the risk of in babies? Why?
Aspiration and apnea
Vomitting so frequently even in sleep