Questions and Answers
Which of the following conditions is considered a cause of chronic vomiting?
What is a significant risk associated with projectile vomiting in patients?
Which type of GI bleeding is characterized by sudden and severe hemorrhage?
What nursing intervention is recommended when a patient is vomiting?
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Which of the following is NOT classified as a cause of acute vomiting?
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What is a consequence of intussusception in the intestinal tract?
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Which of the following is not a clinical manifestation of intestinal obstruction?
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What type of obstruction results from intestinal musculature failing to propel contents due to interrupted nerve signals?
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What surgical procedure is performed to relieve complications from adhesions?
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Which symptom may indicate vigorous peristaltic waves in the case of complete intestinal obstruction?
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Study Notes
Intestinal Obstruction
- Blockage that prevents normal intestinal content flow.
- Types include mechanical obstruction (extrinsic/intrinsic causes) and functional obstruction (muscle inability to propel contents).
Mechanical Causes of Intestinal Obstruction
- Adhesions: Fibrous bands from scar tissue post-surgery; can kink intestines, leading to gas and fecal accumulation. Treatment often involves adhesiolysis.
- Intussusception: One intestinal segment slips into another, common in infants; can lead to blood supply strangulation.
- Volvulus: Twisting of the bowel, obstructing blood supply and trapping gas and fluids.
- Tumors: Growths within or outside the intestine causing partial or complete obstruction; surgical removal is necessary.
Clinical Manifestations
- Currant jelly stools (blood and mucus).
- Colicky abdominal pain often prompting knee-drawing posture.
- Vomiting (both gastric and bile-stained).
- Variability in bowel sounds (hypoactive/hyperactive).
- Distended abdomen with a palpable mass often in the right upper quadrant.
Vomiting
- Acute: Rapid onset, caused by gastroenteritis or food poisoning.
- Chronic: Lasts longer than a few days; could be due to medication, pregnancy, or GERD.
Nursing Diagnoses
- Alteration in Nutrition: Decreased intake due to vomiting.
- Fluid Volume Deficit: Risk of electrolyte imbalance from excessive vomiting.
Nursing Management for Nausea/Vomiting
- Identify underlying causes and assess hydration status.
- Encourage small meals if permissible and avoid spicy/greasy foods.
- Administer prescribed antiemetics.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding
- Can be acute or chronic, indicating disorders like ulcers or cancer.
- Upper GI bleeding involves the esophagus to the duodenum; lower GI bleeding involves the lower intestine and rectum.
Management of GI Bleeding
- Administer pain medication and monitor vital signs for signs of hemorrhage.
- Monitor hemoglobin/hematocrit levels to gauge blood loss.
Food Poisoning
- Sudden illness post-ingestion of contaminated food/drink.
- Botulism: Severe form caused by toxins; can be foodborne, wound-related, or occurring in infants.
Clinical Manifestations of Food Poisoning
- Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and potentially paralysis in severe cases.
Diarrhea
- Classified into acute, persistent, and chronic.
- Common causes include viral infections, medications, and parasitic infections.
Clinical Manifestations of Diarrhea
- Increased stool frequency, abdominal cramps, borborygmus (gas movement sounds).
Diagnostic Findings for Diarrhea
- Tests include CBC, urinalysis, stool examinations, and endoscopy for further analysis.
Diverticulitis
- Inflammation/infection from trapped fecal material in diverticula (outpouchings) of the colon.
- Commonly linked to a low fiber diet.
Clinical Manifestations of Diverticulitis
- Crampy left lower quadrant abdominal pain worsened by movement or strain.
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Description
This quiz covers the disturbances in absorption and elimination, focusing on intestinal obstruction. Learn about the different types such as mechanical and functional obstructions, and their causes and implications. Test your understanding of how these disruptions can affect the gastrointestinal tract.
