GI Flashcards
What are indicators of fluid status?
Urinary output, mucous membranes, capillary refill, decreased skin elasticity and turgor, decreased blood pressure, increased HR, sunken eyes and fontanels
T or F. Compared to older children and adults, infants and young children have a greater need for water and are more vulnerable to alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance?
TRUE
Fluid losses can be divided into 3 categories, what are they?
Insensible losses (occur through the skin), Urinary, and Fecal
Heat and humidity, body temperature, and respiratory rate influence what type of fluid loss?
Insensible losses
Name 4 sources of fluid loss
Diarrhea, NG tube drain, polyuria, third spacing. If fluid intake and output are not matched, fluid imbalance can occur rapidly.
Sarah weighed 19lbs and 8 ounces at her MD visit last week. Today she weighs 8.1 kg, what is her weight loss (percent of dehydration)?
8.6 percent
Insufficient use of nutrition to meet the demands for growth
Failure to thrive (FTT)
Premature birth, GERD, short bowel syndrome, malabsorption, and cleft lip are all examples of what?
Organic causes of FTT
State of cachexia caused by environmental factors describe what?
Inorganic causes of FTT. This includes abuse, inadequate preparation of formula by caregiver.
Abnormal signs and symptoms of MILD dehydration (3-5 percent)?
Tachy or slightly dry buccal mucosa, normal or mildly reduced UO, increased thirst.
Abnormal signs and symptoms of MODERATE dehydration (6- 9 percent)?
Rapid pulse, normal to low SBP, deep and increased RR, dry buccal mucosa, sunken anterior fontanels, sunken eyes, cool skin, reduced skin turgor, markedly reduced UO, listlessness and irritability.
Abnormal signs and symptoms of SEVERE dehydration (more than 10 percent)?
Rapid and weak or absent pulse; low SBP, deep; tachypnea or decreased to absent RR; parched buccal mucosa; markedly sunken anterior fontanels; markedly sunken eyes; tenting skin turgor; cool, mottled, acrococyanosis skin; anuria; grunting, lethargy, coma
What are 6 common causes of Infantile Colic?
Allergic reactions, GERD/ acid reflex, overstimulation, gas producing foods, air intake (from feeding or crying), immature digestion and nervous system
You’re caring for a child you suspect has Infantile Colic. What are 6 common symptoms you expect to see?
Trapped stomach and intestinal gas, abdominal bloating, acute gastric and intestinal pains, intense and prolonged crying, sleeplessness/ exhaustion, stressed out parents
T or F. In the US, almost 200,000 under 5 are hospitalized for gastroenteritis and approx 200 children under 5 die of diarrhea and dehydration each year?
TRUE
T or F. Acute gastroenteritis is caused by a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens only?
False. It is caused by a variety of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, such as rotavirus, e.coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus organisms.
BUN, SG, Lytes, Stool culture and stool WBC, O and P, and UA are common diagnostic test used to identify what condition?
Gastroenteritis
Baby Amy is admitted for acute gastroenteritis. How will you treat her?
Assess state of hydration, correct fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and give PO ASAP (very mild, like pedialyte)
In regards to treatment for gastroenteritis/ acute diarrhea, what are the 4 major goals the management of this condition?
- Assessment of fluid and electrolyte imbalance 2. Rehydration 3. Maintenance fluid therapy 4. Reintroduction of an adequate diet.
T or F. Infants and children with acute diarrhea and dehydration should be treated with fluid replacements, such as juice or plain water?
False. Infants and children should be first treated with oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and avoid juice, soda, and plain water
How is FTT managed?
Identify the cause (prenatal hx, patient’s hx, current home practices), treat underlying cause to catch up weight gain by nutritional intervention and behavior modification, provide family support
In patients with gastroesophageal reflex, the lower esophageal __________ is open allowing reflex.
Sphincter
The MD on your floor has just reviewed Baby Johnny’s diagnostic tests and has diagnosed him with gastroesophageal reflex (GERD). What tests did the MD evaluate to reach this diagnosis?
Upper GI series and PH probe
T or F. GERD becomes a disease when complications such as FTT, bleeding, and dysphagia develop/.
TRUE
How is GERD managed?
By providing small, frequent feedings and implementing reflex precautions
What is included in reflex precautions?
thickening feedings with one tablespoon of rice cereal per ounce of formula and elevating the HOB 30 degrees after feeds.
Tagamet and Prevacid are examples of medications used to treat what condition?
GERD. Tagamet is a H2 Receptor antagonist and Prevacid is a PPI
Before a Nissen Fundoplication (surgery to tx GERD) can take place, what must first be observed and documented?
FTT, Esophagitis, and Recurrent aspiration pneumonia
This disease is described as the congenital absence of autonomic parasympathetic ganglion cells in a distal portion of the colon and rectum.
Hirschsprung Disease (HD). It is a mechanical obstruction caused by inadequate motility. Because there is no nerve stimulation, substances collect there and stretch the colon
What is the first sign of HD in infants?
Failure to pass meconium within 24 to 48 hrs after birth
In addition to failure to pass meconium, what are other common symptoms of HD?
Abdominal distention, vomiting, poor feeding, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting.
Ribbon like stools is a common symptom of _____ in older children
HD. Younger children are usually constipated
T or F. For patients with HD, it is best to assess their temperature orally?
False, you should take their axillary temp (hesi hint)
What is another name for HD?
Congenital Aganglionic Megacolon
T or F. Any section of the colon can be affected in HD?
True, however the lower the defect, the better.
What is the primary nursing diagnosis for patients with pyloric stenosis?
Alteration in nutrition, less than bodily requirements related to frequent vomiting
T or F. The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are to fluid and electrolyte imbalances and the greater is the need for caloric intake required for growth?
True. Nutritional needs and fluid and electrolyte balance are key problems for children with GI disorders.
T or F. Fecal contents accumulate BELOW the aganglionic area of the bowel?
False, ABOVE
Baby Mike is diagnosed with HD and his parents want to know how the MD plans to correct it, what would you say?
Correction usually involves a series of surgical procedures (2). A temporary colostomy and later, a reanastomosis and closure of the colostomy.
When managing HD, what are 3 important interventions to keep in mind?
Keep patient NPO, initiate fluids to fluids to correct FE imbalance, and IV antibiotics if sepsis and enterocolitis is suspected.
How is HD diagnosed?
Biopsy to confirm intestinal involvement.
Baby Mike is scheduled for surgery to correct his HD the following day. What pre-op tasks are most important to complete?
Give him an ENEMA, fluid and electrolyte correction, early central lines and nutritional support, IV antibiotics administration
Post-op care for Baby Mike (HD) should include?
ostomy care, parental education and support for second surgery (pull through procedure with ostomy takedown) later on
Name 5 conditions that are considered surgical emergencies.
Malrotation, pyloric stenosis, intussusception, appendicitis, and incarcerated inguinal hernia
When is an incarcerated ingunial hernia considered an emergency situation?
When there is a color change. Assess for hernia discoloration.
T or F. An incarcerated hernia is very common in preemie girls?
False. It is more common in preemie boys
Baby Timmy is admitted to the ER and you suspect that he has an incarcerated hernia. What symptoms helped you reached this conclusion?
Edematous inguinal hernia with erythema.