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60 Cards in this Set

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The digestive system, also known as the
Gastrointestinal System
(GI) tract or the Alimentary System
Is responsible for breaking down complex food into simple nutrients the body can absorb and convert into energy
This process is known as digestion
Mouth/ Esophagus
Digestion begins in the mouth
The food is then swallowed as a small ball or bolus and transported down the esophagus
Esophagus
A hollow, muscular tube 10 inches long.
Peristalsis
Coordinated rhythmic contractions of the muscles, pushes the bolus through the esophagus
Stomach
Aides in mechanical and chemical breakdown of the food
Chyme
The stomach mixes the partially digested food and digested enzymes into a semiliquid mass
Pancreas
Is a fish-shaped glandular organ 6-8 inches long
The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions
The endocrine functions, which include the production of glucagon and insulin to regulate the blood sugar level, are presented in the endocrine system
The pancreas produces three main groups of enzymes in pancreatic juice for its exocrine function
Amylase: converts carbohydrates into glucose
Lipase: aids in fat digestion
Protease: breaks down protein
Liver
The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body
Located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen
It is one of the most vascular organs, filtering 1,500 ml of blood per minute
Some of the many functions of the liver
*Produces and secrete bile, which emulsifies fat
*Convert glucose into glycogen for storage ( glycogenesis)
*Convert glycogen to glucose when blood sugar level drops ( glycogenolysis)
* Metabolize hormones
* Breakdown nitrogenous wastes to urea
* Incorporate amino acids into proteins
* Filters blood and destroy bacteria
* Produce prothrombin and fibrinogen, which are necessary for a blood clotting
* Manufacture cholesterol
* Produces heparin
* store vitamin B 12 and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
* Detoxify poisonous substances
Gallbladder
The gallbladder stores and concentrates the bile until it's needed in the small intestine
The aging GI tract
• loss of elasticity and slowed motility of the GI tract, accompanied by lack of exercise, make the elderly prone to constipation
• As the intestinal wall weakens, diverticuli, or scars on the intestinal wall, can develop
• Decreased liver mass and blood flow alter the pharmacokinetics of various drugs
Changes in the Digestive System with aging
* Decrease in peristalsis
Food moves more slowly through digestive system. Bowel movements are more infrequent. Increase in constipation.
Feeling full and bloated and may eat less
Increase fiber and fluid intake.
Encourage smaller frequent meals.
Offer fiber supplements
Oral changes
Dentures are common.
Chewing is more difficult
Eating and drinking time may be prolonged.
Number of taste buds decreases
Make sure dentures fit
Cut food into small bites
Teach that softer foods maybe better tolerated
Some clients may start using more salt and seasonings to compensate for less flavor
Monitor salt usage
Decrease in enzyme secretion
Food is harder to digest
Increase in indigestion
Intolerance to some food and seasonings
Encourage water between meals
Avoid foods that are not tolerated while ensuring adequate nutrient intake
Decrease in saliva
Food is more difficult to chew
Swallowing becomes difficult
Encourage fluid intake with meals
Have clients chew food well and do two swallows with each bite of food
Have clients sit up to eat
Stomatitis
Painful condition characterized by inflammation
Ulceration of mouth
Cause:
By infections, damage to the mucous membranes by irritants, or chemotherapy
Signs/ Symptoms
Ulcerations & inflammation in the mouth
Dx
Culture maybe done to determine whether an infection process is present
Treatment/ management
Topical anesthetics such as xylocaine maybe use analgesic maybe ordered
Diet
Bland soft foods
Liquids are tolerated
As heal, diet advance
Nursing assessments
Nursing intervention
Monitor intake calories
Fluid for adequacy
Encourage client to eat soft , bland foods and liquids
Assess for mouth discomfort
Information ulceration
Provide frequent oral care
Meds
Esophageal Varices
• Enlarged, tortuous ( twisted) veins
• Treatment:
Sclerotherapy, ligation, balloon tamponade, and shunt placement
• No non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
( NSAIDs) aspirin, or anticoagulants
Dx:
Occult blood ( assess)
Hematemesis
Review H&H evaluate anemia and liver profile
Patients teachings:
Client should remain on bed rest if varices are bleeding or have recently bled
If no bleeding is present
Patient maybe ambulatory
But avoid strenuous activity
Adhesion
Internal scar tissue from previous surgeries or disease processes
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the vermiform appendix
Ascites
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Calculi
Concentration of mineral salts
Cholecystitis
Is an inflammation of the gallbladder one>90% of the cases, gallstones are present
Cholelithiasis
Is the presence of gallstones or calculi
Cirrhosis
Chronic degenerative changes in the liver cells and thickening of surrounding tissue
Colostomy
Opening created anywhere along the large intestine
Constipation
Condition characterized by hard, infrequent stools that are difficult or painful to pass
Diverticua
Sac-like protrusion of the intestinal wall that results when the mucosa herniates through the bowel wall
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of one or more diverticula
Diverticulosis
Condition in which multiple diverticula are present in the colon
Effluent
Liquid output from an ileostomy
Gastric Ulcer
Erosion in the stomach
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach mucosa
Glycogenesis
Conversion of glucose into glycogen
Glycogenolysis
Conversion of glycogen into glucose
Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood
Hemorrhoid
Swollen vascular tissue in the rectal area
Hepatitis
Chronic or acute inflammation of the liver
Ileostomy
Opening created in the small intestine at the ileum
Intussusception
Telescoping of one part of the intestine into another
Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, mucous membranes, and body fluids that occurs when the liver is unable to fully remove bilirubin from the blood
Ligation
Application of a band or tie around a structure
Melena
Stool containing partially broken down blood usually black, sticky, and tar-like
Occult blood test ( guaiac)
Test for microscopic blood done on stool
Pancreatitis
Acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas
Peptic Ulcer
Erosion formed in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum resulting from acid/ pepsin imbalance
Peristalsis
Rhythmic, coordinated, serial contraction of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, the membranous covering of the abdomen
Polyp
Abnormal growth of tissue
Postprandial
After mealtime:
A postprandial rise in the blood glucose level is one that occurs after eating
Steatorrhea
Fatty stool
Stoma
Surgical opening between a cavity and the surface of the body
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the oral mucosa
Volvulus
Twisting of the bowel on itself
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ( GERD)
Is when gastric secretions flow upward into the esophagus, damaging the tissues
Cause:
Inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to fully close
Signs/ symptoms
Dysphasia, esophagitis, epigastric, pain, heart burn , flatulence, melena, and bleeding
Dx:
Is made by symptoms, a 24 hour pH monitoring, and an esophageal motility test. An endoscopy determines the extent of esophagitis and rules out a malignancy
Treatment:
Generally treated with diet and medication. Clients are encouraged to lose weight if over weight
A fundoplication is done to alleviate symptoms
Antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, cytoprotective agents, and gastrointestinal motility agents
Diet:
Low fat , high-protein
Avoid: caffeine, milk products, alcohol, peppermint, licorice, and spicy foods
Elevate head of the bed 2-4 inches on blocks
Avoid wearing constrictive clothing
Observe for melena and signs of discomfort or pain
Laboratory tests
Bilirubin: 0.1-1
Album: 3.5-5
Total protein: 6.4-8-3
Alkaline phosphate: 30-120/40-128
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) 5-40
Alanine aminotransferase ( ALT/SGPT) 8-20
Cholesterol:less than 200
Triglycerides: less than 150
Amylase 40-140/50-100
Gastritis
Cause:
Irritating substance such as medications, smoke, food allergens, or toxic chemicals,
Signs/symptoms
Upper abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, bloating, burping
Dx:
Based on history and signs and symptoms
An GUI or EGD is done to help diagnosis the condition
If H pylori is suspected, a biopsy is obtained during an EGD and culture is preformed
Treatment:
Antacids and histamine (H2) receptor antagonists ( H2blockers)
Proton pump inhibitor ( omeprazole / Prilosec)
Prostaglandins is used
Diet:
Any foods that aggravate symptoms are eliminated
Also foods that increase acid secretions such as milk, coffee, tea, cola, chocolate should be consumed in small amounts or eliminated if possible
Appendicitis
If ruptures fecal content spills into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis which maybe fatal
A barium enema or ultrasound is ordered to confirm inflammation in the appendiceal area show a WBC >10,000/mm and neutrophils >75% elevated temperature indicates infection rebound tenderness in rt. lower quadrant of the abdomen
Surgical:
Appendectomy
Diet
NPO and NG tube until bowel sounds return