Nursing Gu Notes

GASTROINTESTINAL NURSING
Anatomy & Physiology Review
Mouth
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small & large intestines
Anus
Diagnostic Tests & Procedures Gastrointestinal
System
Stool Specimens
O&P
OB
Fecal Fat
C & S
RADIOLOGIC STUDIES
3 Most commom tests 1) Barium swallow or UGI 2) Small Bowel series 3) Barium
Others: CTS,US abd. X-rays
ENDOSCOPIC TESTS
Esophagoscopy
Gastroscopy/gastroduodenoscopy
EGD
ERCP
Esophageal Motility Studies
ENDOSCOPIC TESTS (cont’d)
Colonoscopy
Proctoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy

Laboratory Tests
Gastric Analysis
CBC
PT (prothrombin time)
INR
PTT (partial thromboplastin time)

Bilirubin
Blood proteins
Alkaline Phosphatase
LDH
GGT

AST
ALT
Cholesterol & Triglycerides
Amylase
CEA
Nursing Assessment
Chief complaint
Past Medical history
Family history
Review of systems/PE
Evaluation of diagnostic data
Abnormal Assessment Findings
Distention
Firmness
Tenderness
Altered bowel sounds
Therapeutic Measures & Related Nursing Interventions
With GI Patients
Gastric Decompression
Types of tubes:
Saunders, pg. 661
Nursing interventions:
Saunders, pg. 663
Gavage or Enteral Nutrition
Provide nutritional support through a tube
Short or long term
In conditions that prohibit oral nourishment
Types of Tubes
Nasogastric - (NG)
Gastrostomy – (G-tube)
Jejunal – (J-tube)
Percutaneous – (PEG)

Total Parenteral Nutrition - TPN
Nutritionally complete
Used when GI system not functioning
Short or long term
TPN LINES
Peripheral
Central
Review important points 1-6 (pg. 664)
Pre-Op Nursing Interventions
For GI surgery patients

GI tract cleansing
Assess vital signs
Liquids for 24 hrs. or NPO
IV
Antibiotics N
NGT insertion
Post-Op Nursing Interventions
For GI surgery patients

Relieve pain
Detect complications
Prevent gastric distention
Replace lost fluids
Maintain urine elimination
Digestive Disorders
Anorexia
Lack of appetite
Cause: physical or emotional