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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Gastrointestinal tract (GI) |
series of hollow mucous membranes and muscular organs. |
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Digestion |
Begins with mouth and ends in the small intestine Mouth-mastication-saliva softens Esophagus-sphincter prevents air from entering esophagus and food from refluxing into the throat. The cardiac or esophageal sphincter prevents reflux of stomach contents back into esophagus |
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Digestion in the stomach - 3 functions |
1. storage of swallowed food 2. mixing of food with liquids and digestive juices 3. emptying contents into small intestine |
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Digestion in the small intestine |
feces forms chyme, it is divided into 3 sections 1. Duodenum: 2 feet long - process chyme 2. Jejunum: 9 feet long - absorbs carbs and proteins 3. Ileum: 12 feet long - absorbs H2O, fats, bile salts |
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Digestion in the large intestine |
Large intestine: 5-6 feet long, wider in diameter. Primary organ of bowel elimination Divided into: 1. cecum 2. colon 3. rectum Colon: 3 main functions - 1. absorption 2. secretion 3. elimination Divided into: 1. ascending 2. transverse 3. descending 4. sigmoid colon |
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Colon |
Absorbs water and sodium - amount of water absorbed depends on the speed at which peristalsis is occurring Secretory: aids in electrolyte balance - bicarbonate is secreted in exchange for chloride (4-9 mEq of K+ is excreted daily - alterations (diarrhea) can cause severe electrolyte disturbances |
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Digestion of the rectum |
Rectum: the final portion of the large intestine - normally the rectum is empty until just before defecation Anus: where feces and flatulence is expelled |
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Critical Factors to Bowel Elimination |
1. Normal GI tract function 2. Sensory awareness of rectal distention and rectal contents 3. Voluntary sphincter control and adequate rectal capacity and compliance 4. Normal defecation begins in the left colon 5. Valsalva maneuver-contraindicated in clients with cardiovascular disease, glaucoma and increased ICP |
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Factors that affect digestion: |
1. Age: infants rapid peristalsis, unable to control until age 2-3. Older adults loose muscle tone motility is reduced, decreased absorption of nutrients, disease processes can alter ability to defecate. 2. Diet: regular daily intake helps to regulate. Fiber is the undigested residue in the diet - absorbs liquid and increases stool mass, stimulates peristalsis. Gas producing foods increase peristalsis. |
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Diet for better digestion and bowel elimination: |
Fiber: grains, fruits, and veges Gas-producing (flatulence): onions, cauliflower, and beans |
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Factors of digestion and bowel elimination: |
1. Fluid intake: adult should drink 1100-1400ml of noncaffeinated fluid daily, unless medically contraindicated (CHF) 2. Fruit juices - soften 3. Older adults often insufficient intake 4. Physical activity promotes peristalsis, early ambulation 5. Psychological factors: stress digestive process is accelerated causing diarrhea and gas distention 6. Personal habits: using own toilet, busy lifestyle, privacy 7. Position during defecation - squatting 8. Pain 9. Pregnancy: slowing of peristalsis during 3rd trimester, as fetus develops puts pressure on rectum and can cause temporary obstruction. 10. Surgery and anesthesia: causes temporary cessation of peristalsis. - Paralytic ileus: can be caused by any surgery where bowel is manipulated, usually lasts 24-48 hours 11. Medications: laxatives, cathartics and stool softeners, other medications affect elimination as a side effect (narcotics slow perstalsis, antibiotics can cause diarrhea, iron discoloration) 12. Diagnostic tests: Client given bowel prep to empty bowel |
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Common Problems |
Normal feces: 75% water, 25% solid mass, 100-400 g/day Constipation: infrequent bowel movement, hard feces, often strain Impaction: results from unrelieved constipation. Usually lodged in rectum but can extend into sigmoid colon. Can have continuous oozing of liquid. |
