NUR 254 - TEST-3-MED-surg-2 study guide.

NUR 254 - TEST-3-MED-surg-2 study guide/NUR 254 - TEST-3-MED-surg-2 study guide. Chapter 43: Assessment of Digestive & Gastrointestinal Function Organs of the digestive System Function of Digestive tract ² Breakdown of food for digestion ² Absorption into the bloodstream of small nutrient molecules produced by digestion ² Elimination of undigested unabsorbed food and other waste products Terms: v Digestion: begins with the act of chewing, in which food is broken down into small particles that can be swallowed and mixed with digestive enzymes v Absorption: Absorption is the major function of the small intestine. Vitamins and minerals absorbed are essentially unchanged. Absorption begins in the jejunum and is accomplished by active transport and diffusion across the intestinal wall into the circulation v Elimination: phase of the digestive process that occurs after digestion and absorption when waste products are eliminated from the body