Lower GI Flashcards
Bowel obstruction: patho
Passage of intestinal material is impaired
- can be complete or partial
- strangulated = no blood supply
Bowel obstruction: non-mechanical cause
paralytic
inflammatory
electrolyte
interrupted blood supply
bowel obstruction: priority labs/diagnostics
Abdominal x-rays CT scan
Scope
CBC- metabolic profile
bowel obstruction: priority interventions
NPO NG IV fluids (LR) I&O Oral care Pre-post surgery care (possibility of stoma)
bowel obstruction: complications
Perforation Strangulated necrotic bowel Septic shock Ostomy Fatality
bowel obstruction: meds
pain- GI (H2 blockers, PPIs)- vasopressors
bowel obstruction: education
Bowel movements- go when you get the urge – schedule
Know symptoms of obstruction
Ostomy care –
Weeks for recovery
Small bowel obstruction: cause
Adhesions
Intussusception (more in infants, bowel folds back on self)
Volvulus
Paralytic ileus
Small bowel obstruction: assess
distention bowel sounds vomiting dehydration pain last BM
Small bowel obstruction: management
Decompression (NG)
Fluid replacement
Surgery
What might you expect will start happening in a client with BO?
eventually start vomiting fecal contents
Constipation: what?
less than 3 stools / week
Constipation: assess
abdominal distention
pain
cramp
don’t feel like they have emptied
Constipation: complications
Hemorrhoids (d/t pressure)
Anal fissures (d/t pressure)
Increase arterial blood pressure
Vagal stimulation (drop HR and BP, syncope)
Megacolon (colon stretches to compensate)
Constipation: treatment
Increase fluid intake Increase dietary fiber Exercise Laxatives- non stimulant first (softeners like colace) Enema last resort
What is considered diarhhea?
more than 3 stools per day or abnormally liquid stool
Diarrhea: cause
meds, metabolic disorders, infectious process, intestinal obstruction
Diarrhea: manifestations
Borborygmus, abdominal cramps, thirst, anorexia, tenesmus (ineffective straining)
Diarrhea: complications
Metabolic acidosis
Hypokalemia
Dehydrations
Diarrhea: elderly
Become dehydrated quick
Digoxin (watch for problems w digoxin because hypokalemia and dig toxicity and really common)
Appendicitis: assess
cough deep breathe sneeze- if no pain not appendicitis
- rebound tenderness
- BP. HR, RR- peritonitis with rupture
Appendicitis: complications
peritonitis
abcess
appendicitis: interventions
Prep for surgery NPO may need NG Bowel Sounds Post op care BP HR RR
Why are we not going to give someone who is constipated a laxative if they already have appendicitis?
may cause appendix to rupture