NU 201- Bowel Elimination and Nursing Process Exam
Structure of the GI tract
mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus
esophagus
A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach
sits behind the trachea
meets the stomach at the lower esophageal sphincter
stomach
large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food
produces- hcl (breakdown), pepsin (enzyme to help breakdown proteins), intrinsic
factor (absorbs B12), and mucus (protects)
forms chyme
small intestine
name and description
Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place
18-21 feet
duodenum, jejunum, ileum
chyme
Partially digested, semiliquid food mixed with digestive enzymes and acids in the
stomach.
,large intestine
The last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food and the
remaining material is eliminated from the body
rectum + anus
the last sections of the digestive tract; expel solid waste (feces) from the body
4-6 inches
has sensory neurons
defecation
elimination of feces
abnormal pattern of defecation
diarrhea
incontinence
constipation
valsalva maneuver
impaction
flatulence
diarrhea
passing loose watery stools frequently
caused by: allergies, food, drugs, antibiotics, intolerances, clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile
C. diff; A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea and serious inflammation of the colon.
The infection typically occurs after the use of antibiotic medications. Body System:
, Digestive. Infection Type: Bacterial;
incontinence
Loss of voluntary control of the passage of feces and flatus
constipation
Hard, slow-moving stools that are painful to pass; often a result of too little fiber in the
diet
men report constipation more than men (ages >65)
<3 times per week
causes: low fiber diet, hemorrhoids, low fluid intake, spinal cord injury, hypothyroidism,
hyper calcemia, hypokalemia
Valsalva maneuver
forceful exhalation + holding breath causes and increase in blood pressure but a
decrease in heart rate which can cause syncope
hemorrhoids
swollen, twisted, varicose veins in the rectal region
impaction
constipation results from unrelieved constipation; a collection of hardened feces
wedged in the rectum that a person cannot expel
flatulence
gas in the stomach or intestines
bowel diversions
Ostomy/Stoma
Structure of the GI tract
mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus
esophagus
A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach
sits behind the trachea
meets the stomach at the lower esophageal sphincter
stomach
large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food
produces- hcl (breakdown), pepsin (enzyme to help breakdown proteins), intrinsic
factor (absorbs B12), and mucus (protects)
forms chyme
small intestine
name and description
Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place
18-21 feet
duodenum, jejunum, ileum
chyme
Partially digested, semiliquid food mixed with digestive enzymes and acids in the
stomach.
,large intestine
The last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food and the
remaining material is eliminated from the body
rectum + anus
the last sections of the digestive tract; expel solid waste (feces) from the body
4-6 inches
has sensory neurons
defecation
elimination of feces
abnormal pattern of defecation
diarrhea
incontinence
constipation
valsalva maneuver
impaction
flatulence
diarrhea
passing loose watery stools frequently
caused by: allergies, food, drugs, antibiotics, intolerances, clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile
C. diff; A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea and serious inflammation of the colon.
The infection typically occurs after the use of antibiotic medications. Body System:
, Digestive. Infection Type: Bacterial;
incontinence
Loss of voluntary control of the passage of feces and flatus
constipation
Hard, slow-moving stools that are painful to pass; often a result of too little fiber in the
diet
men report constipation more than men (ages >65)
<3 times per week
causes: low fiber diet, hemorrhoids, low fluid intake, spinal cord injury, hypothyroidism,
hyper calcemia, hypokalemia
Valsalva maneuver
forceful exhalation + holding breath causes and increase in blood pressure but a
decrease in heart rate which can cause syncope
hemorrhoids
swollen, twisted, varicose veins in the rectal region
impaction
constipation results from unrelieved constipation; a collection of hardened feces
wedged in the rectum that a person cannot expel
flatulence
gas in the stomach or intestines
bowel diversions
Ostomy/Stoma
