GI Part One Flashcards
Adult teeth
32 teeth
Esophagus
Muscular canal that passes from the larynx(throat) to the stomach and passes through the center of the diaphragm.
Primary function: move foods and fluids to stomach
Upper esophageal sphincter
When at rest the UES presents airflow into the esophagus(to the stomach) during respirations
Lower esophageal sphincter
“Cardiac sphincter”
When at rest the LES prevents reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus
If the LES does not work properly GERD can develop
Parietal cells
Parietal cells line the stomach wall and secrete HCL acid(breaks down food kills bacteria)
Intrinsic factor
Parietal cells also produce intrinsic factor a substance that AIDS in absorption of vitamin B12
Absence of intrinsic factor can cause pernicious anemia
Chime
Slur of food and acids
Pyloric sphincter
At distal end of stomach that separates it from small intestine
Opens to allow chyme to move into small intestine to allow start of absorption process
Small intestine
16-19 feet long
Duodenum-12”(has sphincter of oddi portion)
Jejunum8-12’
Ileum8’
Three functions: movement,absorption, digestion
Sphincter of oddi
Links vater duct which is where common bile duct and pancreatic duct combine.
Digestives enzymes enter the small intestines here. In the duodenum.
Large intestine(colon)
5-6 feet Cecum: meets at cecum(ileocecal valve)cecum is where appendix is located. Ascending Colon(right side) Transverse colon Descending colon Sigmoid colon
Bacteria in large intestine
Homes millions of good bacteria
These bacteria break down some carbohydrates.
Children use for immune system
They are only healthy as long as they remain in the colon.
Aging of GI system (elderly)
HCL acid production decreases leading to decreased iron and B12
Peristalsis decreases(constipation)
Bacteria count in colon increases
Decreased fat absorption&digestion
Oral cavity changes too
Ask patient question about GI system
What is your normal eating pattern
Weight gain or loss?
Pain I’m GI system?
What meds are you taking?
Have you been traveling?
Order of assessing GI system
- inspect(look)
- Auscultate
- Light palpation
GI inspection(looking)
Shape of abdomen. Scars Hernias Pulsations Peristalsis
Auscultating GI system
Position patient correctly:semi fowlers with knees bent
Listen in all four quadrants
Noise longer than 15 seconds is hypoactive(norm 1-15)
Bruits:swinging sound while listening,can be an artery(this is abnormal) usually indicates presence of aneurysm. DO NOT PALPATE STOMACH, CONTACT PROVIDER
Light palpation of GI system
1/2” to an inch
If rigidity of abdomens is present,may indicate peritoneal inflammation
Palpate for distention, hernias and masses
Vomitus
Examine it!!
Hematemesis
Coffee ground enema: blood has Been sitting in HCL acid for a little while
Green/yellow
Stool
Examine it!
Food makes a difference in stool.
Eat lots of veggies
Beats can make purply red stool
Iron ‘makes black stool
Barium makes stool pasty yellow
Melena
Dark tary sticky stool
Indicates GI bleed usually in stomach or esophagus
Most often upper GI bleed
Steatorrhea
Fatty stool
Foamy with a ring of oil
Fat they have ingested but not absorbed
A pancreatic(disease or due to age) or meds can cause the problem
Fecal occult blood testing
Traditional stool
Old method of looking for Colorectal cancer or other things
Not used as much
anymore
Gave false positive results
Fecal immunochemical test
Newer testing
Test is not effected by foods or meds patient is on
If test is positive it opens the door to more testing
