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Unit 44

Unit 44. Gastrointestinal System. Objectives. Spell and define terms. Review the location and functions of the organs of the gastrointestinal system. List specific diagnostic tests associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Objectives.

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Unit 44

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  1. Unit 44 Gastrointestinal System

  2. Objectives • Spell and define terms. • Review the location and functions of the organs of the gastrointestinal system. • List specific diagnostic tests associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal system.

  3. Objectives • Describe some common disorders of the gastrointestinal system. • Describe nursing assistant actions related to the care of patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal system. • Identify different types of enemas and state their purpose.

  4. Introduction • The digestive tract extends from the mouth to the anus. • It receives the help of the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas in breaking down food into simpler substances.

  5. Introduction • These substances are used by the body cells to carry on their work of supplying nutrition and eliminating wastes.

  6. Structure and Function • Gastrointestinal system is also called the GI or digestive tract. • It extends from the mouth to the anus • Lined with mucous membrane

  7. Structure and Function • The organs along the length of this system • Change food into simple forms that can pass through the walls of the small intestine and into the circulatory system. • The circulatory system then carries the nutrients to the body cells.

  8. The Mouth • The teeth and tongue are part of the digestive system • For many years: • Experts believed humans had four types of taste buds on the tongue: • Sweet, salt, bitter, and sour • Taste buds are being studied

  9. The Mouth • In 2000 • A fifth taste bud called umami was identified • It is a savory, meaty, or protein taste, such as found in steak and mushrooms

  10. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • The frequency of bowel elimination varies among individuals. • Some people have more than one bowel movement (BM) a day • Others have a BM every two or three days

  11. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • A BM is usually soft and formed. • If it passes through the colon too quickly, it is loose and watery. • Multiple watery stools are called diarrhea.

  12. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • If a BM passes through the colon too slowly: • Fecal material becomes hard, dry, or sticky and pasty in consistency • This is called constipation

  13. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Fecal material is normally brown • Color can be affected by certain foods, medications, and diseases.

  14. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Abdominal distention • Occurs when the abdomen enlarges and appears bloated • This usually occurs as a result of flatus (gas) • There are other causes

  15. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Fecal impaction • Most serious form of constipation • It is caused by retention of stool in the rectum, where water is absorbed

  16. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Over time, the stool becomes hard and dry, and the patient cannot pass it. • The dried waste irritates the bowel. • Mucus dissolves the hard, outer part of the mass.

  17. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Rectum becomes so full that the fluid escapes around the impaction and is eliminated from the rectum as diarrhea. • Refer to Figure 44-4

  18. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel

  19. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Monitor bowel elimination and report irregularities. • Record bowel movements on the flow sheet.

  20. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • If a patient is independent with bowel elimination: • Ask if he or she has had a bowel movement each day

  21. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Report to the the nurse: • Frequent stools, absence of stools, pain, cramping, excessive flatulence, abnormal color or consistency of stool, extremely small amounts of stool, hard, dry stool, or enlargement of the abdomen.

  22. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Save abnormal stools for the nurse to assess • Specific abnormalities in stools to report are presence of: • Blood, pus, mucus, black or other unusual color, undigested food (except corn and raisins), or presence of parasites in the stool.

  23. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Inform the nurse if a patient has not had a BM in three days.

  24. Enemas • A cleansingenema • Introduces fluid into the rectum to remove feces and flatus from the colon and rectum. • Avoid giving an enema within an hour after meals • This will increase peristalsis making it difficult for the patient to retain the solution.

  25. Enemas • Avoid administering an enema to a patient in a sitting position • Solution will not flow into the colon • It will cause the rectum to enlarge, causing rapid expulsion of the fluid.

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