Abdominal and Gastrointestinal

LUQ (left upper quad)

stomach, spleen, some of colon, and small intestine, costal arch

LLQ (left lower quadrant)

descending and parts of colon, small intestines

RUQ (right upper quadrant)

liver, gallbladder, some of colon and small intestine

RLQ (right lower quadrant)

Cecum, ascending colon, appendix

Food from mouth to anus takes how long

8 to 72 hours

What is main function of GI system

Absorb digested food to add fuel to the body's cells
90% of all absorption occurs in small intestines

Pancreas

Secrets enzymes to assist with digestion and to neutralize gastric acid

The liver

Produces bile which breaks down fatPromotes carbohydrate
metabolismDetoxifies drugsCompletes the break down of dead
body cellsStores vitamins and minerals

Portal vein

transports venous blood from GI tract to liver

Asymmetric abdomen

Can be: tumors, hernia, enlarged or distended organs, pregnancy

Upper GI bleed

melena-dark tarry stool

Lower GI bleed

Hematochezia-bright red bloody stool

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

junction between esophagus and stomach tears (generally due to sever vomiting)

Boerhaave syndrome

tear travels through wall of esophagus, creating a hole

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum, caused by infection that can occur
through rupture of an internal organ, movement of bacteria out of the intestines

Peritonitis assessment

Abdominal pain, board hard abdomen, fever, tachycardia, anorexia, dehydration.

Peritonitis treatment

Fluid bolus, norepinephrine for sepsis,

5 F's of cholecystitis

fair skin (causcasian), fat, female, fertile, forty to fifty

cholecystitis assessment

URQ abdominal pain after eating a fatty meal

cholecystitis treatment

Pain meds, meds for nausea, IV fluids

appendicitis

Fecal and other matter back up into appendix

appendicitis assessment

Early: periumbilical pain, nausea, vomitingRipe: pain in
LRQRupture: Decrease in pain

appendicitis treatment

assess for sepsis, fluid replacement use norepinephrine if
crystalloids are not available. meds pain and nausea

Diverticulitis

inflammation of diverticuli

Diverticulitis assessment

abdominal pain LLQ, classic infection signs, constipation or diarrhea

Pancreatitis

inflammation of pancreas

Pancreatitis assessment

sharp pain epigastric area, pain radiating to back, nausea and
vomiting, fever, muscle spasms

Ulcerative colitis

inflammation of the colon, causes a thinning of intestinal wall and a
weakened rectum, peaks between ages of 15 to 25 and 55 to 65 years of age

Ulcerative colitis assessment

signs and symptoms: gradual onset of bloody diarrhea, discharge of
mucus from the rectum, hematochezia, mild to sever abdominal pain,
skin lesions

Chrons disease

involves entire GI tract, can cause bowel obstruction

Chrons disease assessment

chronic abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, skin problems

Chrons disease management

IV fluids, treat nausea and pain

Cirrhosis

early liver failure, portal hypertension, deficiencies in
coagulation, diminished detoxification

Cirrhosis assessment

weakness and fatigue, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, pruritis (itching)

Cirrhosis management

bleeding control, medication, use lower end of medication dose range

Mesentry ischemia

Interruption of blood supply to the mesentry, 4 main causes: acute
arterial embolism, acute arterial thrombosis, profound vasospasm,
mesenteric venous thrombosis.

Mesentry ischemia assessment

severe pain with ill defined location, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
possible blood in stool

Mesentry ischemia management

rapid transport, monitor closely, assess for sepsis, fluid
replacement, give analgesics as necessary

Hematemesis

vomit with blood

Boerhaave syndrome

esophagus tears during vomiting longitudinally

Gerd

digestive disorder that affects the ring of the muscle between the
esophagus and stomach, the ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gall bladder

Diverticulitis

inflammation of the pouches in the colon

Hematemesis

vomit with blood

Hematochezia

stool with blood

Melena

dark tarry stool