Transcript umami
Unit 44 Gastrointestinal System Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives • Spell and define terms. • Review the location and functions of the organs of the gastrointestinal system. • List specific diagnostic tests associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives • Describe some common disorders of the gastrointestinal system. • Describe nursing assistant actions related to the care of patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal system. • Identify different types of enemas and state their purpose. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Introduction • The digestive tract extends from the mouth to the anus. • It receives the help of the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas in breaking down food into simpler substances. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Introduction • These substances are used by the body cells to carry on their work of supplying nutrition and eliminating wastes. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Structure and Function • Gastrointestinal system is also called the GI or digestive tract. • It extends from the mouth to the anus – Lined with mucous membrane Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Structure and Function • The organs along the length of this system – Change food into simple forms that can pass through the walls of the small intestine and into the circulatory system. • The circulatory system then carries the nutrients to the body cells. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Mouth • The teeth and tongue are part of the digestive system • For many years: – Experts believed humans had four types of taste buds on the tongue: • Sweet, salt, bitter, and sour – Taste buds are being studied Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Mouth • In 2000 – A fifth taste bud called umami was identified – It is a savory, meaty, or protein taste, such as found in steak and mushrooms Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • The frequency of bowel elimination varies among individuals. • Some people have more than one bowel movement (BM) a day – Others have a BM every two or three days Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • A BM is usually soft and formed. • If it passes through the colon too quickly, it is loose and watery. • Multiple watery stools are called diarrhea. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • If a BM passes through the colon too slowly: – Fecal material becomes hard, dry, or sticky and pasty in consistency – This is called constipation Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Fecal material is normally brown – Color can be affected by certain foods, medications, and diseases. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Abdominal distention – Occurs when the abdomen enlarges and appears bloated • This usually occurs as a result of flatus (gas) – There are other causes Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Fecal impaction – Most serious form of constipation – It is caused by retention of stool in the rectum, where water is absorbed Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Over time, the stool becomes hard and dry, and the patient cannot pass it. • The dried waste irritates the bowel. • Mucus dissolves the hard, outer part of the mass. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel • Rectum becomes so full that the fluid escapes around the impaction and is eliminated from the rectum as diarrhea. • Refer to Figure 44-4 Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Common Problems Related to the Lower Bowel Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Monitor bowel elimination and report irregularities. • Record bowel movements on the flow sheet. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • If a patient is independent with bowel elimination: – Ask if he or she has had a bowel movement each day Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Report to the the nurse: – Frequent stools, absence of stools, pain, cramping, excessive flatulence, abnormal color or consistency of stool, extremely small amounts of stool, hard, dry stool, or enlargement of the abdomen. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Save abnormal stools for the nurse to assess • Specific abnormalities in stools to report are presence of: – Blood, pus, mucus, black or other unusual color, undigested food (except corn and raisins), or presence of parasites in the stool. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Nursing Assistant Responsibilities • Inform the nurse if a patient has not had a BM in three days. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Enemas • A cleansing enema – Introduces fluid into the rectum to remove feces and flatus from the colon and rectum. • Avoid giving an enema within an hour after meals – This will increase peristalsis making it difficult for the patient to retain the solution. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Enemas • Avoid administering an enema to a patient in a sitting position • Solution will not flow into the colon – It will cause the rectum to enlarge, causing rapid expulsion of the fluid. Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.