Upper GI Flashcards
Abdominal Examination
Inspect, Auscultate, Palpate, Percuss
Diagnostic Tests
Breath tests
DNA testing
Blood work
Endoscopic procedures
Radiology
Gastric analysis
Stool specimen/stool analysis
Ultrasound
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Scope looking at the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
Patient must be NPO for at least 8 hours prior
Hold medications
Local anesthetic used to numb the oropharynx
Midazolam used for conscious sedation
Need to take vital signs before and after, especially temperature (elevated temperature indicates perforation)
Colonoscopy
Need a signed consent
NPO for at least 8 hours prior and a bowel prep is necessary (GoLYTEly)
General anesthesia or conscious sedation
Radiology
UGI: barium swallow
LGI: barium enema
Swallow study
CT-MRI with or without contrast
Gastric Analysis
Sampling the stomach acid
NPO for 8-12 hours prior
NG tube is placed and gastric contents are withdrawn
Occult Blood Tests
Best if patient hasn’t had a lot of red meat, turnips, aspirin, NSAIDs for 72 hours prior to exam
Ultrasound
Noninvasive
NPO for 8-12 hours prior
Treatments for Obstructions
Open the passage
Use of tubes, surgeries
Treatments for Itis-Osis
Medications
Organ rest (NPO)
Nutritional alterations
Treatments for Ulcerations
Stop the bleeding using medications or surgery
General Nursing Diagnoses
Pain: acute or chronic
Altered nutrition
Altered bowel elimination
Altered skin integrity, risk for
Potential for infection
Health care maintenance
Altered breathing patterns
Complication: Hemorrhage
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Tobacco, alcohol, HPV
Increased incidence in men, persons older than 40 years old, and African Americans
Manifestations of Oral Cancer
Painless mass or sore that does not heal
Any lesion present for more than 2 weeks or that does not heal should be examined and biopsied
Later manifestations include tenderness, difficulty chewing or swallowing or speaking, coughing up blood-tinged sputum, enlarged cervical lymph nodes
Medical Management of Oral Cancer
Surgical resection
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Care of Impaired Oral Mucous Membranes
Preventative oral care
Dental care before surgery or radiation therapy
Frequent gentle brushing or flossing
Patient education related to oral hygiene
Encourage fluid intake to reduce dry mouth
Use of synthetic saliva
Care for Imbalanced Nutrition
Assess nutritional requirements and dietary patterns
Assess patient preferences
Calorie count
Dietary consult
Maintaining an Airway
Frequent assessment
Place in Fowler’s position
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
If patient has tracheostomy, provide tracheostomy care as required
Nutrition for Radical Neck Dissection
Assess nutritional state before surgery and intervene early
Encourage high-density, high-quality intake
Provide oral care before and after eating
Diet may need to be modified to liquid diet or to soft, pureed, and liquid foods
Disorders of the Esophagus
Dysphagia/Achalasia Foreign Bodies GERD Hiatal hernia Perforation Cancer
GERD Etiology and Pathophysiology
Results when defenses of the lower esophagus are overwhelmed
Caused by anything that decreases esophageal clearance (decreased peristalsis) or anything that decreases gastric emptying
Risk factors include smoking, obesity, hiatal hernias
Symptoms of GERD
Heartburn (pyrosis)
Dyspepsia (pain, discomfort, pressure; often mistaken as a heart attack)
Regurgitation
Difficulty swallowing
Hypersalivation
Complications of GERD
Esophagitis
Barrett’s esophagus (precancerous lesion)
Respiratory complications (higher risk of aspiration)
Diagnostic Studies for GERD
History and PE
Barium swallow
Upper GI endoscopy
Biopsy and cytologic specimens
Esophageal manometric studies
Radionuclide tests
Lifestyle Modifications for GERD
Avoid triggers, tight clothes
Elevate the head of the bed
Quit smoking