GIT Flashcards
What are the 6 process that occur in the GIT?
Ingestion
mechanical digestion
chemical digestion
propulsion
absorption
elimination
What is dyspepsia?
Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen which is usually described as burning sensation, heaviness or an ache.
What is the pathophysiology of gastro-oesophageal disease (GORD)?
The lower oesophagus becomes inflammed due to to gastric acid irritating the squamous epithelium in the oesophagus. Severe cases may result in anaemia from blood loss due to ulceration.
What are peptic ulcers?
Erosive damage of the mucosa or mucosa and muscle and even all layers. The destruction of the GIT mucosa caused by acid and pepsin breaching the mucus defence. If the ulcer occurs in the stomach it is a gastric ulcer or if the ulcer is in the proximal duodenum it is call a duodenal ulcer, can be chronic or acute.
What are some causes of gastric ulcers?
Use of NSAIDS
Increased gastric juice secretion due to vagal stimulation or inappropriate gastrin secretion.
Helicobacter pylori
decreased or alter protective mucus
alcohol
smoking
corticosteroids.
What is haematemesis?
vomiting blood.
Where is the vomitting centre of the brain and what are categories of causing vomiting?
Lower medulla
Physiologic - constipation or increased ICP
Metabolic - endocrine or electrolyte imbalance
Treatment related - chemotherapy
emotional - anxiety.
Why could a stool be black and tarry?
Digested blood
What are signs and symptoms of gastric ulcers?
Recurrent burning pain
feeling of fullness, bloating or belching
intolerance to fatty foods
heartburn
nausea
Severe - nausea, vomiting (with blood)
dark blood in stools
trouble breathing
feeling faint
unexplained weight loss
appetite changes.
What nursing care measures can be implemented for a pt who is vomiting?
Rehydration of fluids - oral / IV
Restore electrolyte imbalance
add nutrients
monitor v/s, urine output
signs of dehydration
oral hygiene
What is cholecystitis and cholelithiasis?
Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder lending to severe pain in the RUQ of the abdomen.
Cholelithiasis refers to gallstones that are formed from precipitated bile salts or cholesterol.
Cholelithiasis usually leads to cholecystitis.
If someone has gallstones, why might they appear jaundice?
Gallstones obstruct the bile ducts resulting in the bile being unable to enter the duodenum and more bilirubin is reabsorbed into the blood.
What is hepatitis?
Inflammation to the liver. There are group of diseases that can result from infections (Hep A, B, or C)
It can be acute, or chronic and each type requires different treatment.
Clinical picture can include jaundice, bleeding, oedema, pain, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) or cirrhosis (liver scaring).
What acid base imbalance is cause by vomiting and diarrhoea?
Vomiting causes a metabolic alkalosis - because you body is losing to much acid.
Diarrhoea can cause metabolic acidosis.
What is the pathophysiology of diarrhoea?
Occurs when the lining of the intestine is unable to absorb fluid or it is actively secreting extra fluid. The result is that not enough food and water are aborsbed - dehydration and malnutrition can occur.
