NR324 Midterm Exam 3
What function do the GI tract preform - -ingestion, digestion, and elimination
Pain focused GI assessment - -when the pain occurs - before meals, after meals, in the
middle of the night, and any food associations. Specifically ask about heartburn and
problems with a sore mouth, tongue, or throat.
Teeth/Gums: focused GI assessment - -problems with bleeding gums, dental caries,
abscesses, and use of dentures and partial plates. Obtain date of last dental exam and
results if possible.
Throat: focused GI assessment - -hoarseness or voice changes that might indicate the
presence of a tumor, any difficulty swallowing, and the presence or absence of tonsils.
Appetite: focused GI assessment - -Appetite: Assess any changes in appetite, food in
tolerances, and the presence of nausea and/or vomiting.
Lower GI: focused GI assessment - -Lower GI: Assess for problems with eructation,
flatulence, hemorrhoids, hernia.
When assessing the abdomen, should the nurse palpate or auscultate first - -always
inspect, auscultate and then pappate
skin: focused GI assessment - -for color, lesions, scars, petechiae, etc. Abdominal
contour and perianal area for intact skin, hemorrhoids.
When palpating the abdominal - -you should use light touch and advance to deep
palpation
What are some age related changes in the GI tract - -Saliva secretion decreases ,
inhibiting the digestion of complex carbs - gum and tooth loss making nutrition difficult-
Peristalsis in the esophagus is no longer triggered with each swallow and there is
delayed entry of food into the stomach causing a premature feeling of fullness- heart
burn and reflux- Constipation is common due to decreased intake and decreased
intestinal motility.
What is a Barium enema - -- examination of large intestine; give laxatives before and
monitor stool after procedure
What is a Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - -- visualize esophagus, stomach,
duodenum; keep NPO after procedure until gag reflex returns
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What is an Colonoscopy - -- examination of colon, biopsies and polyps removed; bowel
prep before and observe for perforation
What is an Nasogastric (NG) Tube - -- nutrition, medication and decompression; proper
technique during use, verify placement
What is a Gastrostomy Tube - -- nutrition, medication; proper technique for use, verify
placement, monitor for infection, HOB elevated
What is Nausea - -a feeling of discomfort in the epigastrium with a conscious desire to
vomit.
How do you Management nausea and vomiting - -: medications, assess vomitus,
progressive nutrition, non-pharmacological measures, weight, I&O
Which laboratory findings should the nurse expect in the patient with persistent
vomiting? - -Increased pH, decreased K, increased Hct.
A patient who has been vomiting for several days from an unknown cause is admitted to
the hospital. What should the nurse anticipate will be included initially in the
collaborative care? - -- the patient with severe or persistent vomiting requires IV
replacement of fluids and electolytes until able to tolerate oral intake to prevent serious
dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Oral fluids are not given until vomiting has been
relieved and parenteral antiemetics are often not used initially until a cause of the
vomiting can be established. NG intubation may be indicated in some cases, but fluid
and electrolyte replacement is the first priority
A patient treated for vomiting is to begin oral intake when the symptoms have subsided.
To promote rehydration, the nurse plans to administer which fluid first? - -water is the
fluid of choice for rehydration by mouth. Very hot or cold liquids are not usually well
tolerated and although broth and Gatorade have been used for patients with severe
vomiting, these substances are high in sodium and should be administered with caution.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer - -tobacco, alcohol, sun, HPV
Assessment for Oral Cancer - -ulcer, soreness, dysphagia, difficulty speaking
Management:for Oral Cancer - -surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, palliative treatment,
pain control, nutrition, prevent aspiration, communication techniques
What are the two types of oral cancer - -: oral cavity cancer (starts in mouth) and
oropharyngeal cancer (starts in pharynx).
What is the Assessment: for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD) - -no single cause defenses of the lower esophagus are overwhelmed by reflux
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