Midterm Flashcards
What is the function of the small intestine and the large intestine?
small: absorb nutrients
large: absorb water
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
chronic disorder that affects the large intestine
What are the risks factors of IBS?
smoking
caffeine
NSAIDs
stress
family hx
females
high-fat diet
dairy products
alcohol = 1 drink, super bloated
mental/behavioral illness
What are the clinical manifestations of IBS?
recurrent diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and/or ABDOMINAL PAIN
belching
mucus in stool
tenesmus = desire to go poop
What is a main indicator of IBS?
abdominal pain
What medications are given for IBS?
loperamide (standard)
alosetron (last resort)
lubiprostone
linaclotide
bulk agents
probiotics
What can loperamide lead to?
cathartic colon (inability to pass stool)
What should be assessed for the medication alosetron?
constipation
What are lubiprostone and linaclotide used for?
IBS-constipation
lubiprostone: opioid induced constipation, “slip and slide effect”
What should be avoided if a patient who has IBS is taking a bulking agent?
psyllium
If a patient is taking antibiotics and then develops watery diarrhea, what should the nurse do?
initiate contact precautions
possible C.diff
What are nursing interventions for a patient with IBS?
- have a journal of symptoms, diet, and stress levels
- increase fiber and fluid intake
- limit beans, eggs, dairy (yogurt), fruits
- exercise and stress management
- ENCOURAGE PT TO ASK Q’S
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
autoimmune disease
chronic inflammation of intestinal tract
classified as:
Ulcerative colitis
or
Crohn’s disease
Describe ulcerative colitis
- inflammation and ulcers in the rectum
- from transverse colon to rectum
Describe crohn’s disease
- inflammation granulomas (bumps) that don’t bleed
- from mouth to anus
- lesions are transmural (burns a hole where contents can leak out and contaminate)
more serious
What are the clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis?
anal/rectal symptoms
abd pain - severe
diarrhea - common
rectal bleeding - common
tenesmus - common
fever - during acute attacks
can still absorb
weight loss - rare
What are the clinical manifestations of crohn’s disease?
Weakness and fatigue
GI symptoms:
abd pain - cramping
diarrhea - steatorrhea (fatty stool)
rectal bleeding - sometimes
tenesmus - rare
fever - based on flare up
impaired absorption
weight loss - common
Why do patients with ulcerative colitis have a new diagnosis of anemia?
chronic blood loss (not malabsorption)
If a patient has steatorrhea, what should the nurse ask?
have you noticed any recent weight loss?
What are the complications of IBD?
Ulcerative- decreased Hct & Hgb (give blood)
Crohn’s- perforation leads to peritonitis (rigid abd., fever, rebound tenderness)
both:
- fluid/electrolyte imbalance
- colorectal cancer
- C.diff infection
- perineal abscess/fistulas
- strictures (scar tissue leads to bowel obstruction)
- toxic megacolon
What is toxic megacolon?
inflammation that causes the loss of function of the colon
fluid, toxins, and gas dilate the colon and lead to perforation
Describe the lab studies for IBD
increased H&H, WBC, ESR, CRP
decreased K, Mg, Ca
stool for occult blood
crohn’s: decreased albumin
ulcerative: no change in albumin
What are the diagnostic studies for IBD?
sigmoidoscopy
colonoscopy (main tool for dx)
CT scan
barium enema (imaging of lower GI tract)
What medications are used for IBD?
antiinflammatory
immunosuppressants
immunomodulators
antidiarrheal
antimicrobial
What antiinflammatory medications are used for IBD? Why?
corticosteroids (inflammation)
5-ASA (mesalamine and sulfasalazine - (STOPS the body attacking itself)
What immunosuppressant medications are used for IBD? Why?
cyclosporine
methotrexate (DMARD) - drink water bc nephrotoxic
azathioprine (DMARD)
suppress the immune system
What immunomodulator medications are used for IBD?
What should be monitored?
infliximab
adalimumab
natalizumab
monitor hypotension - decrease 20 BP sys
monitor fever bc immune system is suppressed = infection easy
What antidiarrheal medications are used for IBD?
What does it treat? What should be monitored?
diphenoxylate/atropine
loperamide “LOW bowel movements”
treats diarrhea
monitor for cathartic colon
What antimicrobial medication is used for IBD? Why?
What type of mouthwash should be used while on this medication? Why?
metronidazole
first choice in treating C.diff
alcohol free mouthwash
- alc causes reaction
- pt can get N/v, dizzy, irritability
What therapeutic procedures are done for IBD?
bowel resection
Crohn’s:
- strictureplasty: stent to open stricture
- surgical repair of fistulas: cut out and connect (anastomosis)
What are the nursing interventions for IBD?
- promote rest
- monitor I&O
- monitor hypokalemia
- high protein, high calories, low-residue, low fiber diet
- small frequent meals
- food journal
- TPN (short term)
What should a patient with IBD not eat?
oatmeal with cream
What can you give a patient with Crohn’s disease to eat?
toast with jelly
Before giving medications to a patient who has Crohn’s disease, what should be assessed?
fever
What is concerning for a patient with ulcerative colitis who is taking sulfasalazine?
decreased urine output