GI AHII Flashcards
signs of bowel perforation and peritonities
guarding of the abdomen, increased fever and chills, pallor, progressive abdominal distention and abd pain, restlessness, tachycardia and tachypnea
What do you monitor following an endoscopic procedure?
return of gag reflex before giving the client any oral substance
pyloric obstruction
n/v/c, epigastric fullness, anorexia, and (late) weight loss
insert NG tube to decompress the stomach, provide IV fluids and electrolytes
balloon dilation or surgery may be required
management of perforation or penetration-move fast! This is an EMERGENCY
signs include severe upper abd pain that may be referred to the shoulder, vomiting, and collapse, tender, board-like abd, and symptoms of shock. Patient requires immediate surgery.
Priority Nursing Actions r/t paracentesis
consent
VS/weight
have the client void
position client upright
assist HCP, monitor VS, and provide comfort
apply a dressing to the site of puncture
monitor VS, weight, and maintain bedrest
measure amt of fluid removed
label and send fluid to the lab for analysis
tell client to alert HCP if urine becomes bloody, pink, or red
What complication may result following paracentesis?
the rapid removal of fluid from the abd cavity during paracentesis leads to decreased abd pressure, which can cause vasodilation and resultant shock; monitor for hypovolemia, electrolyte loss, mental status changes, and encephalopathy
What do you look at before a liver biospy?
coag panels
how is the client positioned during a liver biospy?
note that the client is placed supine or left lateral position during the procedure to expose the right side of the upper abdomen
What do you do for your patient following a liver biospy?
assess VS
monitor biopsy site for bleeding
monitor for peritonitis (guarding, fever/chillls, pallor, abd distention/pain, restlessness, tachys)
maintain bed rest for several hours
place client on right side with a pillow under the costal margin to decrease the risk of hemorrhage, and instruct the client to avoid coughing or straining.
instruct the client to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 1 week
What does an increase in cholesterol, amylase, and lipase levels indicate?
pancreatitis or biliary obstruction
gnawing, sharp pain in r to the left of the mid0epigastric region occurs 30-60 mins after a meal (food ingestion accentuates the pain). Hematemesis is more common than melena
gastric ulcer
burning pain occurs in the mid-epigastric area 1.5-3 hrs after a meal and during the night (often awakens the client) Melena is more common than hematemesis. Pain is often relieved by the ingestion of food
duodenal ulcer
Why perform a vagotomy?
this is a surgical division of the vagus never to eliminate the vagal impulses that stimulate hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach
Do you irrigate NG tube after gastric surgery?
following gastric surgery, do not irrigate or remove the NG tube unless specifically prescribed bc of the risk for disruption of the gastric sutures. Monitor closely to ensure proper functioning of the NG tube to prevent strain on the anastomosis site. Contact HCP if the tube is not functioning properly.
Dumping syndrome
the rapid emptying of the gastric contents into the small intestine that occurs following gastric resection. symptoms occur within 30 mis of eating: n/v/d, abd fullness/cramping, palpitations/tachycardia, perspiration, weakness and dizziness Borborygmi (loud gurgles indicating hyperperistalsis)
what do you teach a patient with dumping syndrome?
avoid sugar, salt, and milk
eat a high-protein, high-fat, low carb diet
eat small meals and avoids consuming fluids with meals
lie down after meals
take antispasmodic medications as prescribed to delay gastric emptying
What are surgical concerns for obese clients?
Obese clients are at increased risk for pulmonary and thromboembolic complications and death
Murphy’s sign
cannot take a deep breath when the examiner’s fingers are passed below the hepatic margin bc of pain–>cholecystitis
dark orange and foamy urine
biliary obstruction
fecal vomiting
intestinal obstruction
care of a T tube
a T tube is placed after surgical exploration of the common bile duct. The tube preserves the patency of the duct and ensures drainage of bile until edema resolves and bile is effectively draining into the duodenum. A gravity drainage bag is attached to T-tube to collect the drainage.
place pt in semi fowlers to facilitate drainage
monitor drainage output; expect 500-100mL/day
avoid irrigation, aspiration, or clamping of the T-tube wo a HCP prescription
glucose metabolsim ammonia conversion protein metabolism fat metabolim vit and iron storage
liver fxn
fetor hepaticus
a fruity, musty breath odor of severe chronic liver disease
asterixis
Asterixis is a flapping tremor of the hand that is an early sign of hepatic encephalopathy.
Cullens sign
Turners sign
discoloration of the abdomen and periumbilical area
bluish discoloration of the flanks
both indicate pancreatitis
interventions for acute pancreatitis
NPO
pain meds like meperidine
fetal positioning or side lying with HOB 45 degrees
turn, cough, deep breath due to susceptibility to respiratory infects due to pain assoc w breathing
antacids or anticholinergics may be prescribed to suppress gi secretions
nonbloody diarrhea of usually not more than four or five stools/day.
crohn’s disease
Profuse bright red hematemesis
arterial blood that has not been in contact with gastric secretions (esophageal or oral bleeding)
coffee-ground emesis
blood that has been in stomach awhile and reacted with gastric secretions
melena
slow bleeding from upper GI that has passed through GI tract and been digested
Occult blood
positive guaic stool test or NG aspirate
A patient is admitted to the ED with profuse bright red hematemesis. During the initial care of the patient, the nurse’s first priority is to
a) est two IV sites with large-gauge catheters
b) perform a nursing assessment of the patient’s status
c) obtain a thorough health history to assist in determining the cause of the bleeding
d) perform a gastric lavage with cool tap water in prep for endoscopic exam
b) although all the interventions may be indicated when a patient has an upper gi bleed, the first priority nursing intervention is to perform an assessment of the patient’s condition, with emphasis on BP, pulse, and peripheral perfusion to determine the presence of hypovolemic shock