Ch. 18, 19 (Digestive, Bowel & Urinary Elimination) Flashcards
(42 cards)
What symptom describes the lack or loss of appetite?
anorexia
the disorder is anorexia nervosa, the symptom is anorexia
If a patient has anorexia, what should you do?
assess to determine why
What symptom describes difficulty swallowing?
dysphagia
What are the effects of aging on the GI track?
- Decrease in saliva production - increased risk for dysphagia & dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Presbyesophagus - causing slower peristalsis & esophageal/stomach motility
- Increased risk for aspiration & indigestion
- Decreased stomach elasticity, ability to digest fats
- Diminished senses: smell, taste, perception of when to empty bowels/how empty the bowels are
- Increased risk of constipation
What effect of aging on the GI track is a result from weakening contractions of esophageal muscles and sphincter?
presbyesophagus
What can you do for a patient who has xerostomia?
- hard candy
- chewing on gum
How can we promote our GI health?
- good dental hygiene/regular dental visits
- proper nutrition, eating smaller portions (minimizes risk of indigestion & heartburn)
- giving hard candy/gum (for xerostomia)
- sitting up after meals
What to do for patients who have missing teeth/poor dentition to ensure they can continue eating food?
- alter diet order
- ensure dentures are kept (when admitted)
What are complications of poor dentition?
- constipation, malnourishment
- periodontal disease/dental caries
Periodontal disease can increased the risk for what?
- systemic infections
- cardivascular problems
What can cause dysphagia?
- stroke
- GERD
- structural disorders
- decreased saliva production
If a patient comes in with dysphagia what is the first thing should we ask?
onset/is this new?
What kind of assessment should be down after a diagnosis of acute stroke?
swallow assessment
How do you perform a swallow assessment?
give them water and then crackers and see how they manage
if they fail both they have to be assessed further by speech pathologist
If a patient was diagnosed with an acute stroke and has not had a swallow assessment conducted on them, what is their nutritional status like?
NPO
they cannot have food or drinks
If a patient fails a swallow assessment, what should you do?
refer to a speech-language pathologist
What are nursing care interventions for dysphagia?
- dietary modifications
- eating upright, in unhurried smaller bites
- verbal cues & accesible suctioning (if needed)
- monitor food intake/weight
What causes a portion of the stomach to protrude through an opening in the diaphragm?
hiatal hernia
What causes hiatal hernia?
low-fiber diet
What are signs and symptoms of hiatal hernia?
- heartburn
- dysphagia
- belching/vomiting/regurgitation
- pain, bleeding
usually mistaken for a heart attack
What is GI problem is consistently mistaken as a heart attack?
hiatal hernia
How do you diagnose hiatal hernia?
barium swallow, esophagoscopy
What are treatments for hiatal hernia?
- weight reduction
- bland diet/frequent small meals
- sleep in partly recumbent position
- discouragement of bedtime eating
What are treatments for diverticular disease?
- Increase dietary fiber intake/proper nutrition
- Avoiding irritating foods (spicy)
- Relieve discomfort, promote rest
- Antibiotics (ABX)
- Surgery
