GI Assessment Flashcards
Aspirin, anticoagulants.
pink to red to
black stool
Iron salts
Black Stool
Analgesics (opioids)
constipate
Normal Bowel Movement
Soft formed bowel
movement every 1 to 3
days without discomfort
Begin auscultation _________ and continue
__________ ending in LLQ.
RLQ, Clockwise
• BS occur ________ per min.
5-30 times
Higher pitch
⇑ tone, loudness,
frequency
⇑ Bowel Motility
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Occurs: > 30/min
Hyperactive Bowel Sounds
R/T Diarrhea, partial
bowel obstruction
Hyperactive Bowel Sounds
Occurs: 1-4/min
Hypoactive Bowel Sounds
Which GI organ’s primary function is
bowel elimination, reabsorbing water
and storing waste?
Large Intestine
The process of bearing down to defecate and may
cause cardiac arrhythmia is called…
Valsalva Maneuver
When assessing the Gastrointestinal System, we…
Inspect
Auscultate
Percussion
Palpation
When we inspect the GI system, we observe for…
Observe contour, color, symmetry, distention of abdomen , masses, scars
When we auscultate the GI system, we listen for…
Listen for bowel
sounds:
frequency/
characteristics
Percussion is used for __________ practice.
Advanced
When the abdomen sounds dull, or creates a “thud” that means…
Fluid or mass.
Normal abdominal percussion sounds sound like…
a drum, air like.
When we palpate the GI system, we feel for…
Light vs Deep;
tenderness, distention, masses, organ enlargement
When we assess the anus and rectum, we look for…
Stool characteristics, hemorrhoids, skin irritation, masses, lesions
When assessing the anus and rectum, palpation is only used in…
advanced pratice
When assessing stool characteristics, we look for…
Frequency Volume Color Odor Consistency Shape Constitutents
What diagnostic tests would indicate the presence of micro-organisms in feces?
Stool culture
Looks for blood in stool
Stool OB (occult blood)
When we age, a decrease in digestive juices __________ nutrient absorbtion.
decreases.
As we age, we have an increase in __________ + __________ .
Malnutrition + anemia
the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wavelike movements that push the contents of the canal forward.
Peristalsis
As we age, we have a decrease in ___________ + ___________ .
Peristalsis + abdominal muscle tone.
As we age, peristalsis decreases, causing ___________ .
Constipation
Normal Bowel Movement
Soft, formed, every 1-3 days
Factors to assess for bowels
Usual bowel patterns Any aids to eliminate? Recent changes in bowel elimination? Problems with bowel elimination? Presence of artificial orifaces? (colostomy?)
Causes of constipation?
Inactivity, Constipating Medications, Reduced fluids or fiber, laxative abuse, stress.
Causes of diarrhea?
Bacteria/virus, too much laxative foods/meds, Food intolerance/allergies, Colon Disease, Stress
Constipating foods?
cheese, pasta, lean
meat, eggs
Foods with laxative effects?
fruits and vegetables, bran,
chocolate, alcohol, coffee
Aspirin/anticoagulants cause…
pink to red to black stool
Iron salts cause…
Black stool
Gas producing foods
onions, cabbage, beans,
cauliflower
Antacids cause…
white discoloration or
speckling in stool
Antibiotics cause…
greengray
color;
diarrhea
Analgesics/Opioids cause…
Constipation
Recommended
food for an older adult who is constipated?
Fruit
Factors promoting regular BM?
Timing, positioning, privacy, nutrition, exercise (abdominal/thigh strengthening)
Normal bowel movement occurs every…
1-3 w/o discomfort
Hypoactive bowel sounds…
-Quiet; infrequent
-decreased tone, loudness,
-frequency
-decreased Bowel Motility
-Occurs: 1-4/min
-R/T Constipation, OR, late
bowel obstruction,
Hyperactive Bowel Sounds
Higher pitch Increased tone, loudness, frequency Increased Bowel Motility Occurs: > 30/min R/T Diarrhea, partial bowel obstruction
Absent Bowel Sounds
No BS assessed Listen for 2-5 Minutes each quad R/T Peritonitis; Paralytic Ileus; Prolonged Immobility
