Transcript Nursing Care of the Child with a Gastrointestinal Disorder

Nursing Care of the Child
with a Gastrointestinal
Disorder
Normal Gastrointestinal System
Disorders
of
Development
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Etiology- Failure of maxillary and median nasal
processes to fuse during embryonic development
Remember the psycho-social implications for these
children and families
Assessment

Unilateral, bilateral, midline
Treatment





Surgical repair between 3 and 6 months
Rule of “10”
Multidisciplinary team
Reconstruction begins in infancy and can continue
through adulthood.
Homecare by the family prior to surgery
Pre-op Nursing Care

Remind parents that defect is operable- show
photographs of corrected clefts
Before
After
Pre-op Nursing Care
Post-Op




Prevent trauma to suture line
 Logan’s bow to protect site
 Do not allow to suck
 Maintain upper arm restraints
 Position supine
 No hard objects in mouth
Reduce Pain
Prevent Infection
 Cleanse suture lines as ordered – rinse with water
after each feeding.
 Call Doctor for any swelling or redness
Referral to appropriate team members
Esophageal Atresia
Malformation from failure of esophagus to develop as
a continuous tube
Upper Esophagus
Trachea
Lower Esophagus
Signs and Symptoms






Excessive amounts of salivation / mucus, frothy bubbles
Three “C’s”: Coughing, choking, and cyanosis when fed
Food may be expelled through the nose immediately
following the feeding
Rattling respirations and frequent respiratory problems
such as aspiration pneumonia
Gastric distention, if fistula
History of polyhydramnios during pregnancy can suggest
a high gastrointestinal obstruction
Diagnosis and Management

Early diagnosis
 Ultrasound
 Radiopaque catheter inserted in the esophagus to
illuminate defect on X-ray

Surgical repair
 Thoracotomy and anastomosis
Pre-Op
Maintain airway
• jlkjfj
Keep NPO- administer IV fluids
Elevate HOB 30 degrees
Suction PRN
Give Prophylactic antibiotics
Post-Op

Maintain airway

Maintain nutrition
 Gastrostomy tube feedings

Prevent trauma

Monitor for potential complications

Monitor weight, growth and developmental achievements
Imperforate Anus
Incomplete development or
absence of anus in its normal
position in perineum.
Assessment

Most commonly diagnosed upon Newborn Assessment

Symptoms
 Absence of anorectal canal
 Failure to pass meconium
 Presence of anal membrane
Treatment

Anal stenosis is treated with repeated anal dilation

Surgery
Omphalocele
Gastroschisis
Omphalocele
Herniation of abdominal contents through the umbilical
cord. Contents are covered by a translucent sac.
Gastroschisis
herniation of abdominal viscera outside the abdominal cavity
through a defect in the abdominal wall to the side of the umbilicus.
Not covered.
Diagnosis
Alphafetaoprotein
Provide an
early diagnosis
Ultrasound
Treatment and Nursing Care

Pre-operatively – provide protection of the
contents/sac.




Cover with warm, sterile, saline-soaked dressings
Maintain temperature – esp. with gastroschisis
May choose to replace the gut to the abdomen
gradually over several weeks.
May place silo or silastic material
over gut until it returns to the
abdomen.
Surgery used to close defect.
Post-op Care

Assess for ileus

Maintain parenteral feedings
 Provide support to the parents.
Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease
(GERD)
The cardiac sphincter and lower portion of
the esophagus are weak, allowing
regurgitation of gastric contents back into
the esophagus.
Assessment: Infant

Regurgitation almost immediately after each feeding
when the infant is laid down

Excessive crying, irritability

Failure to Thrive

Life Threatening Risk / Complications:
 aspiration pneumonia
 apnea
Assessment: Child




Heartburn
Abdominal pain
Cough, recurrent pneumonia
Dysphagia
Diagnosis


Assess Ph of secretions in esophagus if <7.0 indicates
presence of acid
Also diagnosed using Barium Swallow and visualization
of esophageal abnormalities
Management & Nursing Care



Small frequent feedings of predigested formula or
thicken the formula
Frequent burping
Positioning --prone position- flat prone or head elevated
prone. Use reflux board to keep head elevated.
Reflux board


Avoid excessive handling after feedings.
Nissen Fundoplication
Medications




H2 Histamine receptor antagonists – reduce gastric
acidity
 Zantac and Pepcid
Proton-pump inhibitors
 Prevacid
 Prilosec
Gastric emptying
 Reglan
Antacids
 Gaviscon
Diarrhea
Infectious Gastroenteritis
Diarrhea/Gastroenteritis
Severe

A disturbance of the intestinal tract that alters motility
and absorption and accelerates the excretion of
intestinal contents.

Most infectious diarrheas in this country are caused by
Rotovirus but can be C. Difficele
Clinical Manifestations





Increase in peristalsis
Large volume stools
Increase in frequency of stools
Nausea, vomiting, cramps
Increased heart & resp. rate, decreased tearing and
fever
Diagnosis
Blood Gases
Stool for O&P
Stool Culture
Complications
Dehydration
Metabolic Acidosis
The newborn and infant have a high percentage of body weight comprised of water,
especially extracellular fluid, which is lost from the body easily. Note the small stomach
size which limits ability to rehydrate quickly.
Treatment & Nursing Care







Treat cause
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Weigh daily
Monitor I&O
Assess for dehydration
Isolate
Skin care
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the lumen of the appendix
which becomes quickly obstructed causing
edema, necrosis and pain.
Management and Nursing Care:
Pre-Op







NPO
IV
Comfort measures – semi-fowlers or R side lying
Antibiotics
Elimination
Patient education
**Narcotic pain medications are used minimally so as not
mask the signs of appendicitis.
Appendicitis

What is the most common
symptom indicating that
the appendix may have
ruptured?
Management and Nursing Care:
Post-Op




NPO
Antibiotics
Analgesia
Patient teaching
Pyloric Stenosis
The pylorus muscle which is at the distal end of
the stomach becomes thickened causing
constriction of the pyloric canal between the
stomach and the duodenum and obstruction of
the gastric outlet of the stomach.
Pyloric Stenosis


Narrowing of the pyloric
spincter
Delayed emptying of the
stomach
Assessment
Projectile
vomiting
Distended
Abdomen
Hypertrophied
pylorus
Constant
hunger
fussiness
Visible peristaltic
waves
Treatment and Nursing Care
Treatment: Surgery

Pyloromyotomy
Post Operative Care:
I&O
 Feeding

Feeding begins with clear liquids containing glucose and electrolytes.
Regime example: 8 hours NPO, 10cc sterile hater feed X 2. Increase to
15cc X 2, progressing to ½ strength formula, then full strength formula.
Observe and record the infant’s response to feeding.
 Position
with head elevated
 Assess Surgical site to prevent infection
 Patient teaching
Critical Thinking

A 4 week old infant with a history of vomiting
after feeding has been hospitalized with a
tentative diagnosis of pyloric stenosis. Which of
these actions is priority for the nurse?
 Begin
an intravenous infusion
 Measure abdominal circumference
 Orient family to unit
 Weigh infant
Intussuception
Volvulus
Both are forms of bowel obstruction
Intussuception


Most commonly seen in infants 3-12 months
Bowel “telescopes” within itself
Volvulus

A twisting of the bowel
that leads to a bowel
obstruction.
Assessment





Pain
Vomiting
Stools – resemble currant jelly
Dehydration
Serious complications
Therapeutic Intervention

Intussuception
 Hydrostatic Reduction
 Surgery

Volvulus
 Surgery
Hirschsprung's
Disease
Hirschsprung’s Disease
Congenital disorder of nerve cells in lower colon
Assessment
*
• Failure to pass meconium
• Ribbon Like stools
*
• Vomiting
• Reluctance to feed
*
• Abdominal distention
• Foul odor of breath
Diagnosis & Management
Diagnosis
 History & Physical
 Barium enema (X-ray)
 Rectal biopsy- absence of ganglionic cells in bowel
mucosa
Management
 Surgical intervention


Colostomy
Resection
Nursing Care

Pre-op
 Cleanse bowel
 Patient/parent teaching

Post-op
 NPO
 Vital Signs – never take a rectal temperature
 Assessment
 Patient/parent teaching
 Colostomy care
 Skin care
 Nutrition
Lactose Intolerance
Inability to tolerate the sugar found in
dairy products as a result of an
absence or deficiency of lactase.
Celiac Disease
inability to digest gliadin which is a
by-product of gluten breakdown.
Signs and Symptoms
The child with celiac disease
commonly demonstrates
failure to grow and wasting of
extremities. The abdomen can
appear large due to intestinal
distension and malnutrition
Complications:
Hypocalcemia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, depression.
Treatment and Nursing Care
Teach parents DIETARY REGULATIONS:
NO !
Gluten
Free
Diet
Wheat
Rye
Barley
Oats