NURSING 1 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE

NURSING 1 Exam 2 Study Guide  Assessment of GI o Obtain a nursing history  Determine what is normal for your client  Use language that makes the client comfortable  Ask about medications that are used (constipation could be caused by these) o Perform a physical examination focused on elimination  Exam the abdomen, rectum and anus  Observe the size, shape, and contour of the abdomen, and listen to bowel sounds  Palpate the anus and rectum for the presence of stool or masses  When auscultating for bowel sounds:  Normal bowel sounds: high bitched and more frequent than normal  Hypoactive bowel sounds: low pitched, infrequent, and quiet  Absent bowel sounds: after listening for 3 to 5 minutes you hear nothing.  Ask questions such as:  Normal bowel pattern  Appearance of stool  Changes in bowel habits or stool appearance  History of elimination problems  Use of elimination aids o Review diagnostic and labatory data  Screen for colorectal cancer, to diagnose diverticulosis  Abdominal flat plate  Anterior to posterior x-ray view of the abdomen used to detect gallstones, fecal impaction, and distended bowel  Nurse should prepare the patient for the test, function as an assistant, and provide aftercare  Position the patient , monitor the tolerance for procedure, provide pain medication or sedation  For the lab studied the client must void first and then defecate into a clean, dry bedpan, bedside commode, or a special container placed under the toilet seat