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