Nursing Assessment: Gastrointestinal Conditions

A sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs.

Common causes include bacteria (H. pylori) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Acid environment weakens the stomach lining, acid diffuses, and erodes the mucosa layers.

Stomach pain, often relieved by food or antacids, is a primary symptom.

Bleeding in the stomach or intestinal tract, potentially fatal if large and unaddressed.

Bleeding in the lower part of the digestive tract, often presenting with bright red blood in stool.

The main symptom is the presence of frank, bright red blood in the stool.

A blockage in the intestines that prevents the normal flow of food and waste.

Simple obstructions involve physical blockages, while functional obstructions involve problems with the muscles/nerves controlling the gut.

Adhesions, hernias, and tumors can create blockages in the small intestine.

Tumors, volvulus (twisting), and diverticulitis-related strictures can obstruct the large intestine.

Symptoms like pain, vomiting, bloating, and abnormal bowel sounds are common.

The approach depends on the cause, ranging from medications to surgery.

Inflammation of the stomach lining. Causes include irritants and bacterial infection.

Sudden onset gastritis caused by irritants like alcohol or spicy foods. May or may not have symptoms.

Long-term gastritis that can damage the stomach lining and lead to atrophy (thinning). Often caused by bacteria like H. pylori.

Acid reflux where stomach contents back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

Blockage of the intestines, preventing the passage of food and waste. Can be caused by various factors.

Inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections or alcohol abuse.

Peptic ulcers usually form in the duodenum or stomach, with the duodenum being the most common site.

H. pylori bacteria and NSAID medications are common causes of peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcer pain is usually relieved by eating or taking antacids.

Bleeding in the digestive tract can happen anywhere, but color indicates location: bright red = closer, dark = further.

Peptic ulcers can lead to serious complications: hemorrhage, obstruction, and even perforation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Acidic stomach contents back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest.

Untreated PUD can lead to complications such as bleeding, perforation (a hole in the stomach wall), and obstruction (blockage). Rarely, untreated PUD can lead to stomach cancer

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) can be caused by various factors, including ulcers (PUD), gastritis, tumors, and even trauma like an injury to the gut.

A blockage in the intestines that prevents the normal flow of food and waste. Can be caused by various factors including adhesions, tumors, and twisting of the intestines.

Inflammation of the liver. Often caused by viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, and C, or alcohol abuse.

Gastric/intestinal disorders primarily involve inflammation, ulcers, and obstruction of the digestive tract. Liver disorders involve inflammation, damage, and dysfunction of the liver, a vital organ for filtering blood and producing essential substances.

The liver plays a crucial role in various bodily functions including bile production, metabolism of bilirubin, nutrients, and drugs, detoxification, and storage of minerals.

Hepatitis A is spread through the fecal-oral route, mainly via contaminated food, water, and blood.

Hepatitis A causes inflammation and damage to liver tissue due to cytotoxic cytokines and natural killer cells that destroy infected hepatocytes.

Hepatitis A usually presents with symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and dark urine.

The incubation period for Hepatitis A is typically 2-7 weeks, which means the virus may exist unnoticed for some time before causing symptoms.

The primary symptom of a lower GI bleed is the presence of bright red blood in the stool.

An intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the intestines that prevents the normal flow of food and waste.

Common causes of small bowel obstruction include adhesions, hernias, and tumors.

Tumors, volvulus (twisting of the intestine), and diverticulitis-related strictures can obstruct the large intestine.

Common symptoms of intestinal obstruction include pain, vomiting, bloating, and abnormal bowel sounds.

Treatment for intestinal obstruction depends on the cause and can range from medications to surgery.

Symptoms of obstruction depend on the severity and duration of the blockage. They can be sudden and severe, including pain, vomiting, and distention.

Fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity, often caused by cirrhosis, heart failure, or cancer. It disrupts normal physiological functions.

Common causes include portal hypertension, low albumin levels, dilated blood vessels in the gut, and fluid retention by kidneys.

Symptoms include abdominal swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, and leg swelling. Bacterial infection can also occur.

A brain disorder caused by liver dysfunction, characterized by confusion, tremors, and altered consciousness. It can be life-threatening.

High ammonia and GABA levels in the brain contribute to neurologic symptoms. This can happen quickly and become dangerous.

A severe liver disease characterized by rapid and extensive liver cell damage, potentially caused by Hepatitis B, C, or Tylenol overdose.

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, caused by problems with bilirubin processing in the liver or blockage of bile flow.

High blood pressure in the portal vein system, caused by resistance to blood flow through the liver, often due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or blockages.

Swollen, enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach, often developing due to portal hypertension, which can cause life-threatening bleeding.

NAFLD: Fatty liver disease without alcohol use. NASH: More serious, with inflammation and scarring of the liver. Both linked to obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Scarring and damage to the liver that disrupts its structure and function, often caused by chronic hepatitis, alcoholism, or fatty liver disease.

A complication of advanced liver disease where the kidneys suddenly fail due to impaired blood flow and fluid retention.

Symptoms of cirrhosis include abnormal liver function tests, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, edema, ascites, portal hypertension, and potentially hepatic encephalopathy or hepatorenal syndrome.

Anemia characterized by small, pale red blood cells with reduced hemoglobin content.

Anemia caused by ineffective iron uptake, leading to abnormal hemoglobin synthesis.

Anemia due to insufficient red blood cell production, often caused by an autoimmune attack on the bone marrow.

A condition characterized by an abnormal increase in red blood cell production due to an overproduction of bone marrow stem cells.

A condition where there is an apparent increase in red blood cells, but the actual number is normal. This is caused by a decrease in plasma volume, making the red blood cells appear more concentrated.

A condition characterized by an abnormally high red blood cell count, leading to increased blood viscosity and potential complications like blood clots.

A genetic disorder causing excessive iron absorption, leading to iron buildup in tissues and potential organ damage.

Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, joint pain, impotence, hepatomegaly, abnormal liver enzymes, bronzed skin, diabetes, and heart enlargement.

An increase in white blood cells in the blood, often indicating an infection or inflammation.

A decrease in white blood cells in the blood, increasing susceptibility to infections.

An increase in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, often seen in early stages of infection or inflammation.

A decrease in neutrophils, increasing the risk of severe infections.

A group of disorders where the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells, leading to various complications.

Cancer of the blood and bone marrow, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells.

A fast-growing type of leukemia characterized by immature white blood cells (blasts) and a rapid onset.

A life-threatening condition where the body's clotting system is overactivated, leading to widespread clotting in small blood vessels and excessive bleeding.

DIC can present with both bleeding and clotting problems, causing rapid development of hemorrhage, shock, low blood pressure, and organ failure due to microvascular blockages.

Diagnosis of DIC is based on clinical presentation, laboratory tests like prolonged clotting time, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and elevated D-dimer.

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells (erythrocytes) or hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Anemia can be classified by its cause: altered production, blood loss, increased destruction of red blood cells, or a combination. Anemia can also be classified by changes in red blood cell size, shape, or substance.

This type of anemia is characterized by large red blood cells (erythrocytes) due to ineffective DNA synthesis, often caused by Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

Caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein needed to absorb Vitamin B12 from the diet, leading to a deficiency and impaired DNA synthesis in red blood cells.

Occurs when there's insufficient folate (folic acid) in the body, which is crucial for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production.