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