Nausea Vomiting &Diarrhea Flashcards
How is diarrhea defined?
inc freq of bowel movements (>3 a day), inc amount of stool (>200g/day), and altered consistency (such s inc liquidity) of stool
•often assoc w urgency, perianal discomfort, incontinence, or combo of these factors
What causes diarrhea (general categories)?
- conditions that cause inc intestinal secretions, dec mucosal absorption, or altered motility can prod diarrhea
- often caused by IBS, lactose intolerance
meds, some tube feeding formulas, metabolic and endocrine disorders (DM, addisons, thyrotoxicosis), bacterial and viral infections, nutritional and malabsorptive disorders (celiac)…..
Is diarrhea an acute or chronic problem?
- can be acute (often assoc w infection, self limiting usually, lasts up to 7-14days
- or chronic (>2-3wks and may return sporadically)
5 types of diarrhea?
secretory, osmotic, malabsorptive and exudative, infectious
Secretory diarrhea?
is usually high volume. Often assoc w bacterial toxins and neoplasms. Caused by inc prod and secretion of water and lytes by the intestinal mucosa into intestinal lumen
Osmotic diarrhea?
when water is pulled into intestines by the osmotic pressure of unabsorbed particles which slows water reabsorption may be caused by lactase deficiency, pancreatic dysfx, intestinal hemmorhage
Malabsorptive diarrhea?
combined mechanical and biochemical actions which inhibits absorption of nutrients.
See markers of malnutrition such as hypoalbuminuria, which leads to intestinal mucosa swelling and liquid stool
What is the most commonly identified cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the hospital?
C. Diff
Cause of exudative diarrhea?
caused by changes in mucosal integrity, epithelial loss, or tissue destr by radiation or chemo
Term for intestinal rumbling?
borborygmus
Term for ineffective straining?
Tenesmus
Manifestations of diarrhea?
- inc freq
- fluid stools
- abdominal cramps
- distension
- intestinal rumbling (borborygmus)
- anorexia
- thirst
- on defecation painful spasmodic contractions of the anus and ineffective straining (tenesmus) may occur
- other symp may relate to lytes, fluid balance, dehydration
Voluminous greasy stools suggest?
intestinal malabsorption
Presence of blood, pus, mucus suggests?
inflm enteritis or colitis
How does size of the bowel relate to characteristics of diarrhea?
• watery stools are char of sm bowel disorders.
• Semisolid stool are assoc w disorders of lg bowel.
(this is talking about small vs large intestine?)
Oil droplets on the toilet water are almost aways diagnostic of?
pancreatic insufficiency
Nocturnal diarrhea may be a mnft of?
diabetic neuropathy
What is it important to investigate in all unexplained diarrhea in pts recently taking Abx?
C. Diff
Dx when cause of diarrhea not obvious
o CBC
o Serum chemistries
o Urinalysis
o Routine stool exam and exam for infection/paratistes, bacterial toxins, blood, fat, lytes, WBCs
o Endoscopy or barium enema may help id the cause
Complications of diarrhea?
- Potential dysrhythmias d/t fluid and lyte loss
* Chronic diarrhea can result in irritant dermatitis (prevent w wet wipe, dry, barrier cream)
What conditions regarding symptoms and potassium level must be reported in individuals with diarrhea (as indicates risk for potential cardiac complications)?
• Urinary output of
Gerantological considerations r/t digoxin use and diarrhea?
Elderly dehydrate quickly, more susceptible to hypokalemia
Teach if on digoxin abt hypokalemia and dehydration (they occur v fast) and signs & symp of hypokalemia
–> need to know symptoms of hypokalemia because low K levels potentiate digoxin action and thus inc risk of digitalis toxicity
Geriatric considerations regarding what to look for as a nurse?
- Observe pt for mnfts of muscle weakness, dysrhythmas, dec peristaltic motility that may lead to paralytic ileus
- Esp sensitive to excoriation of perianal area
Medical management of diarrhea?
WHat is often the med of choice?
• Control symp, prevent complic, elim cause
- Abx, anti-inflm, antidiarrheals used
• Often loperamide (imodium) is the med of choice as it has less side effects than diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
How to assess perianal area?
pt either standing and bent forward ont he exam table or ling on left side w left leg extened and right leg flexed (sims).
Spread buttocks and ask pt to bear down. Look for lesions, hemmorhoids, warts, rectal fissures
Nursing assessments r/t diarrhea?
- Assess and monitor the characteristics and pattern of diarrhea
- Pmhx should include med therapy, med and surg hx, dietary pattern and intake, recent exposure, travel
If acute diarrhea episode, what should nurse do?
encourage bed rest, intake of liquids and foods w low bulk (restriction may be nec eg no dairy, veggies, grains etc for several days)
When eating start w bland, semisolid and solids.
what kind of food to encourage in pt with diarrhea?
What not to eat?
- When eating start w bland, semisolid and solids.
* No: caffeine, carbonation, v hot or v cold (they stimulate intestinal motility)
What is Hyperemesis gravidarum?
aka pernicious or presistent vomiting)
= n+v that lasts past wk 16 of regnancy or thats so severe it results in dehydration, ketonuria and significant wt loss (>5%) occur within the first 12wks of pregnancy
•Often stops abruptly at ~13 weeks (end of first trimester) d/t change in hormones from placenta