UNIT 3: GASTRITIS Flashcards
Gastritis: Definition
– inflammation of gastric mucosa – WBC’s causing inflammation.
Acute and Chronic Gastritis
Gastritis: Etiology- Acute gastritis
Inflamed, red, irritated
- Self-limiting – resolves on own in a few days; pain, nausea
- Associated with ingestion of irritating substances: ASA, NSAIDS, corticosteroids, alcohol, caffeine (don’t ingest on empty stomach), and bacterial toxins (person to person passed with close contact.
Gastritis: Etiology- Chronic gastritis
- Progressive
- Causes a lot of irreversible damage
- Occurs more in elderly
- Occurs with chronic alcohol abuse
- Occurs in smokers (so stop it)
- Occurs with chronic infection of Helicobacter pylori
- increase chance of developing gastric cancer (damaged tissue = cancer risk)
Gastritis: Pathophysiology -Acute gastritis
-Mucus membranes get disrupted (by food, ASA, steroid, infection)
-Then the gastric acid comes in contact with the gastric tissues
-Acid damages the gastric tissue even more = erosion/superficial inflammation
Resolves itself in a few days
Gastritis: Pathophysiology- Chronic gastritis
- Progressive: leads to atrophy of gastric tissue
- Starts with superficial tissue damage, then goes deeper and causes atrophy of gastric tissue r/t inflammatory process going deeper over time
Gastritis: Clinical Manifestations- Acute gastritis
– mild to severe
- N&V
- Anorexia
- Mild epigastric discomfort up to abdominal pain
- Hematemesis (blood in vomit) or melena (blood in stool)
Gastritis: Clinical Manifestations- Chronic gastritis
- Asymptomatic (r/t slow progression) until atrophy is sufficient to interfere with digestion and gastric emptying
- Vague gastric distress; not acute pain
- Epigastric heaviness after meals
- Ulcerlike symptoms, but unrelieved by antacids r/t deeper damage
- Can lead to decrease food intake and malnutrition
Gastritis:Prevention
- Avoid excessive alcohol
- Be cautious with use of ASA, NSAIDS, and steroids
- Avoid excessive caffeine
- Avoid eating contaminated food
- Stop smoking!!!!!
Gastritis: Collaborative Care for either types of gastritis
- Diagnostic Tests
- Medications
Gastritis:Diagnostic Tests
Assess and look for bleeding
- CBC - Hgb, Hct, RBC – will show blood loss
- Endoscopy – to visualize the tissue – can biopsy
Gastritis:Medications
-PPIs – block acid
-H2 Blockers – block acid
-Sucralfate (Carafate) –
-Creates a gel substance over the ulcerated area to protect and heal the mucosa
-Give on empty stomach 1 hour before meal
-Avoid antacid within ½ hour before or after
-Not preventative
-Antibiotics
For H. pylori
Gastritis: Nursing Diagnoses
- ACUTE: Pain r/t irritation of gastric mucosa
- CHRONIC: Nutrition, Altered: less than body requirements r/t decreased appetite, N&V, and pain
