GI Assessment - ANSWER ø GI symptoms common, sending people of all
ages in search of relief
ø Diagnosis depends heavily on accurate and thorough history-taking
ø It is important to delineate the sequence of patient symptoms
ø Mastery of the abdominal assessment to provide quality healthcare
ø GI symptoms are one of the #1 reasons for ED visits
ø Patient Hx is important
ø Must ensure the order of Hx is correct
Gastrointestinal Tract - ANSWER Series of hollow, mucus membrane-lined
muscular organs designed to:
ø ingest fluid and nutrients for absorption and use by the body
ø assist in fluid and electrolyte balance
ø receive gallbladder and pancreatic enzymes
ø temporarily store feces - colon
Functions of the GI Tract - ANSWER *Digestion*
ø Breakdown
-carbs in mouth
ø Absorption
-nutrients
ø Elimination
,*Absorption*
ø Movement
ø Diffusion
ø Active transport
ø Most nutrients are metabolized in the liver and converted to energy
Solid Viscera - ANSWER Maintain shape
ø Liver
ø Pancreas
ø Spleen
ø Kidneys
ø Adrenal glands
ø Uterus
ø Ovaries
*spleen not palpable
Hollow Viscera - ANSWER Usually not palpable; depend on contents
ø Stomach
ø Gallbladder
ø Colon
ø Bladder
, ø Small intestine
Stomach - ANSWER ø Function: Store food, mix food with gastric secretions,
empty contents into the small intestine
ø Absorbs only small amounts of water, alcohol, electrolytes and drugs
ø Secretes HCL acid, water, mucus, intrinsic factor( Vitamin B 12 absorption in
the small intestine)
* mucus lining to protect stomach wall
* gastric acid - breaks down carbs and peptides into proteins
* triglycerides ⟶ fatty acids and glycerol
* sphincters -
>lower esophageal sphincter - regulates food going into stomach
>pyloric sphincter - regulates emptying of stomach into sm. intestine
Small Intestine - ANSWER ø Measures ~ 23 feet long
ø Extends from the pyloric opening to the ileocecal valve
ø Contain villi that excrete digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion and
absorption of nutrients
* duodenum
* jejunum
* ileum
Large Intestine - ANSWER ø Measures ~ 6 feet long
ages in search of relief
ø Diagnosis depends heavily on accurate and thorough history-taking
ø It is important to delineate the sequence of patient symptoms
ø Mastery of the abdominal assessment to provide quality healthcare
ø GI symptoms are one of the #1 reasons for ED visits
ø Patient Hx is important
ø Must ensure the order of Hx is correct
Gastrointestinal Tract - ANSWER Series of hollow, mucus membrane-lined
muscular organs designed to:
ø ingest fluid and nutrients for absorption and use by the body
ø assist in fluid and electrolyte balance
ø receive gallbladder and pancreatic enzymes
ø temporarily store feces - colon
Functions of the GI Tract - ANSWER *Digestion*
ø Breakdown
-carbs in mouth
ø Absorption
-nutrients
ø Elimination
,*Absorption*
ø Movement
ø Diffusion
ø Active transport
ø Most nutrients are metabolized in the liver and converted to energy
Solid Viscera - ANSWER Maintain shape
ø Liver
ø Pancreas
ø Spleen
ø Kidneys
ø Adrenal glands
ø Uterus
ø Ovaries
*spleen not palpable
Hollow Viscera - ANSWER Usually not palpable; depend on contents
ø Stomach
ø Gallbladder
ø Colon
ø Bladder
, ø Small intestine
Stomach - ANSWER ø Function: Store food, mix food with gastric secretions,
empty contents into the small intestine
ø Absorbs only small amounts of water, alcohol, electrolytes and drugs
ø Secretes HCL acid, water, mucus, intrinsic factor( Vitamin B 12 absorption in
the small intestine)
* mucus lining to protect stomach wall
* gastric acid - breaks down carbs and peptides into proteins
* triglycerides ⟶ fatty acids and glycerol
* sphincters -
>lower esophageal sphincter - regulates food going into stomach
>pyloric sphincter - regulates emptying of stomach into sm. intestine
Small Intestine - ANSWER ø Measures ~ 23 feet long
ø Extends from the pyloric opening to the ileocecal valve
ø Contain villi that excrete digestive enzymes that aid in the digestion and
absorption of nutrients
* duodenum
* jejunum
* ileum
Large Intestine - ANSWER ø Measures ~ 6 feet long
