Chapter 33 - Nursing Care of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea
- Urge to Vomit
Vomiting
- Expelling Stomach Contents Through Esophagus and Mouth
Therapeutic Interventions
- None
- Protect Airway
- Medications
- IV Fluids
- NG Tube
- Clear Liquids, Dry Toast
Nursing Diagnoses
- Nausea
- Risk for Aspiration
- De

Anorexia

- Lack of Appetite
Females
- Age 12 to 18 Years
Treatment goal
- Restore Nutritional Health
Symptoms
- Severe Weight Loss
- Low Self-esteem
- Compulsive Dieting
- Disturbed Body Image
Nursing Care
- Therapeutic Relationship
- Vital Signs
- Daily Weights
-

Eating Disorders

- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
Nursing Diagnoses
- Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
- Body Image, Disturbed

Bulimia Nervosa

- Compulsive Eating, Self-induced Vomiting
- Laxatives
- "Binge-purge"
- Young Women
- Enamel Erosion of Front Teeth
- Metabolic alkalosis
Treatment Goal
- Restore Nutritional Health
Nursing Care
- Therapeutic Relationship
- Vital Signs, Daily Weights
- I

Obesity

Weight 20% or Greater Than Ideal Body Weight
BMI
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9 Kg/m2
- Obese: >30 Kg/m2
Caloric Intake Exceeds Energy Expenditure
Comorbidites
- Diseases Associated with Obesity
Morbid Obesity
- BMI >40
Therapeutic Interventions
- Weight Loss T

Bariatric Surgery

- Gastric Plication
Laparoscopic gastric plication folds the stomach inwardly, and then sutures hold the folds in place.This reduces the stomach's volume and limits the food that can be ingested at one time.
- Gastric Bypass
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass i

Nutritional Notes: Supplying Nutrition in Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions

- Bariatric Surgery
Candidates for bariatric surgery should be carefully selected and instructed that the procedure is a tool to assist with weight control, along with behavioral changes, diet and exercise. If the patient overeats, the small pouch can be

Postprandial Hypotension

This refers to a drop in systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or more within 2 hours of beginning a meal. Symptoms are dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, falls, disturbed speech, and vision changes. Complications are angina pectoris and stroke. Normally

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Weight Loss Surgeries

Gastric Restrictive Surgeries

Complications
- Vomiting
- Erosion of the Gastric Tissue
- Breakdown of Staple Line
- Leaking of Stomach - Secretions
- Infection or Death
Postoperative Care
- Clear, Liquid Diet
- Progresses to Full Liquids, Pureed Foods
- Regular Foods at 6 Weeks

Oral Health Care

Important to Overall Health
Often Neglected in Daily Care
Oral Hygiene with Chlorhexidine Gluconate
- Prevents Pneumonia
- Reduces Ventilator-associated Pneumonia
Prophylactic Antibiotics
Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
- Artificial Saliva Substitute
Dentures
Ging

Common Concerns in Oral Health and Dental Care

Oral care is important throughout life and has been found to have a link to cardiac health. The importance of daily and ongoing oral care should be considered for all patients, especially older adults.
Patients who have artificial joints or some heart con

Stomatitis

Inflammation of Oral Cavity
Causes
- Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores)
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type I (Cold Sores)
(Book excerpt)
Stomatitis is inflammation of the oral cavity.
- Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores)
Aphthous stomatitis appears as small, whi

Oral Cancer

- Risk: Alcohol or Tobacco Use
- Detected Early, Curable
- Painless
- Difficulty in Chewing, Swallowing, Speaking
- Biopsies
- Radiation, Chemotherapy, Surgery
Nursing Care
- Referral: Alcohol/Tobacco Cessation
- Preoperative Teaching
- Postoperative
Airw

Radical Neck Dissection

Esophageal Cancer

- Risk: Alcohol or Tobacco Use
- Detected Late, Metastasizes
- Difficulty Swallowing, Feeling Full, Pain in Chest, Foul Breath, Food Regurgitation
- EGD, Biopsy
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery: Esophagogastrostomy, Dacron Esophageal Replacement, Esop

Hiatal Hernia

Sliding Hiatal Hernia
- Lower Esophagus/Stomach Slides up Through Hiatus of Diaphragm into Thorax
Paraesophageal Hernia
- Rarer
- Serious as part of the stomach squeezes through the hiatus and is at risk for strangulation
Occurs In
- Women More
- Those ov

Fundoplication

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Pathophysiology
- Gastric Secretions Reflux into Esophagus
- Esophagus Damaged
- Lower Esophageal Sphincter Does Not Close Tightly
Signs and Symptoms
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Dysphagia
- Bleeding
Complications
- Aspiration
- Scar Tissue
Diagnosis
- B

GERD Summary

Mallory-Weiss Tear

Pathophyisiology
- Longitudinal Tear in Mucous Membrane of Esophagus at Stomach Junction
- Tears from Sudden, Powerful, or Prolonged Force
- Hiatal Hernia Present
Signs and Symptoms
- Bright Red, Bloody Emesis
- Bloody or Tarry Stools
Diagnosis
- EGD
- He

Esophageal Varices

- Dilated Blood Vessels in Esophagus
- Portal Hypertension
- Rupture Life-threatening

Gastritis

Inflammation of the Stomach
- Acute or Chronic
Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Anorexia
Remove Irritating Substance
Bland Diet of Liquids/Soft Foods
Antacids
Inflammation of Stomach Mucosa
- Acute
- Chronic
Pathophysiology
- Protective Mucosal Barrier Broken Down

Chronic Gastritis Type A

- Autoimmune Gastritis
- Fundus
- Asymptomatic
- Leads to Pernicious Anemia
(Book excerpt)
Type A chronic gastritis is often referred to as autoimmune gastritis and occurs in the fundus. Type A gastritis usually do not secrete enough intrinsic factor from

Chronic Gastritis Type B

Pathophysiology
- From Infection with Helicobacter pylori
- Lower Stomach
Signs and Symptoms
- Anorexia, Heartburn, Belching, Sour Taste, Nausea/Vomiting
Treatment
- Antibiotics
(Book excerpt)
Type B chronic gastritis affects the antrum and pylorus (lower

Stress-Induced Gastritis

GI mucosal damage from ischemia.The stress response to the illness causes reduced blood flow to the stomach and small intestine, resulting in ischemia and damage to the mucosa.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

- Erosion of GI lining
- Primary Cause: Bacterium H. pylori
- Curable
- Influenced by Smoking
Gastric
- High Left Epigastric/Upper Abdominal Burning/Gnawing Pain
- Increased 1 to 2 Hours After Meals or with Food
Duodenal
- Midepigastric/Upper Abdominal Bu

Stress-Induced Gastritis

- At Risk: Critically Ill
- Ischemia Damaging Mucous Barrier
- Acid Secretions Create Ulcerations

Causes of Gastritis

Diet
� Alcohol
� Spicy foods
Microorganisms
� Helicobacter pylori
� Salmonella
Medications
� Aspirin
� Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
� Corticosteroids
� Digitalis
� Chemotherapy drugs
Stress
� Physiological
� Psychological Trauma
Other Factors
� Re

Stress Ulcers

Preventive Treatment
- Quick Trauma Care
- Early Feeding
- Prophylactic Antacids, Histamine Blockers
- Sucralfate - Binds to Ulcer Base

Peptic Ulcer Disease Summary 1

Peptic Ulcer Disease Summary 2

Medication Regimen for H. Pylori Infection

Medications Used to Promote Healing on Peptic Ulcers 1

Medications Used to Promote Healing on Peptic Ulcers 2

Medications Used to Promote Healing on Peptic Ulcers 3

Gastric Bleeding

- From Ulcer Perforation, Tumor, Gastric Surgery
- Occult or Observable
- Symptoms Vary by Severity
- Treat Hypovolemic Shock if Present
- NPO, IV Fluids, Blood, NG Tube, Oxygen
Nursing Diagnosis
- Deficient Fluid Volume
(Book excerpt)
Bleeding peptic ulc

Gastric Cancer

- Malignant Lesion in Stomach
- Second Most Common Cancer
- Men Greater Than Women
- H. Pylori Infection Risk Factor
- Poor Prognosis as Metastasizes
Signs and Symptoms
- No Early Symptoms
- Late Symptoms:
1. Indigestion
2. Anorexia
3. Pain Relieved by An

Subtotal Gastrectonomy

Partial Removal of Stomach
Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I)
- Distal Stomach Removed
- Anastomosed to Duodenum
- Treats Gastric Problems
Gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II)
- More Distal Stomach Removed
- Anastomosed to Jejunum
- Treats Duodenal Problems

Total Gastrectomy

- Total Stomach Removal
- Extensive Gastric Cancer
- Anastomosis of Esophagus to Jejunum

Gastric Surgery

Nursing Diagnoses
- Acute Pain
- Fear
Nursing Care Post-Operative
- Monitor Vital Signs
- Respiratory Status
- Control Pain
- Intake and Output
- Incisional Site
- NG Tube Care
- Ambulate Early
- Monitor Abdominal Status
- Education
Complications
- Hemorr

Gastric Bleeding Summary

Gastric Cancer Summary

Subtotal Gastronomy

Nausea and Vomiting - Therapeutic Measures

If it is prolonged, however, dehydration and elec- trolyte imbalances can occur. The loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach can result in metabolic alkalosis. Emesis that looks like coffee grounds (dark brown) occurs from bleeding in the stomach.

Nursing Process for the Patient with Nausea and Vomiting

The characteristics of the episodes of the nausea and vomiting are noted. Signs of early fluid deficit, such as weakness, headache, muscle cramps, restlessness, inability to concentrate, and postural hypotension, are reported for treatment. Later signs in