Gastric Cancer and Gastritis

Gastric Cancer

• Can develop in any part of the stomach, but most common in the distal third
• More common in men between 50-70 years old
• Causes: heredity, chronic gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis
• Signs and symptoms: gastric distress, flatulence, early satiety, loss of appetite, weight loss
• Diagnostic tests: upper-gastrointestinal series (UGIS)
• Medical management: gastrectomy, chemotherapy

Appendicitis

• Inflammatory lesion of the appendix
• Caused by occlusion of the lumen due to hardened feces, foreign objects, or kinking
• Pathophysiology: edematous small part of the appendix → abscess formation → rupture of appendix → peritonitis
• Signs and symptoms: pain on the umbilical area that becomes localized at RLQ, nausea and vomiting, direct tenderness and rebound tenderness in RLQ
• Diagnostic tests: obturator sign

Nausea and Vomiting

• Causes: visceral afferent stimulation, CNS disorders, irritation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone
• Nursing history:
  • General data: dental prosthesis, eating or digesting food, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, pain
  • Specific data: situations or events that affect symptoms, onset, possible cause, location, duration, character of symptoms
  • Normal pattern of bowel elimination: frequency and character of stool, use of laxatives or enemas

Oral Cancer

• Types: squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma
• Risk factors: prolonged exposure to sun, wind, and pipe smoking, tobacco and alcohol use, poor nutritional status, chronic irritation
• Signs and symptoms: tongue irritation, loose teeth, pain in the tongue or ear, malignant lesions, leukoplakia
• Medical diagnosis and treatment: biopsy, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, combination of radiation and chemotherapy
• Nursing diagnosis:
  • Impaired Oral Mucous Membrane
  • Ineffective Breathing Pattern
  • Pain
  • Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Requirements
  • Impaired Verbal Communication
  • Disturbed Body Image
  • Risk for Infection
  • Ineffective Tissue Perfusion

Body Disorders of the Salivary Glands

• Parotitis: viral infection, inflammation of the parotid glands, painful swelling of the salivary glands
• Sialadenitis: caused by dehydration, radiation therapy, stress, malnutrition, salivary gland calculi, or improper oral hygiene
• Treatment: antibiotics, mouthwashes, warm compresses, surgical drainage or removal may be necessary

Test your knowledge of gastric cancer, its causes, symptoms, and diagnostic tests. Learn about the relationship between gastric cancer and gastritis, and how to identify warning signs.