Oral Cavity and Esophageal Problems Review

Flashcards covering key concepts, assessment cues, interventions, and educational points related to oral cavity and esophageal problems, including stomatitis, oral tumors, GERD, hiatal hernias, and esophageal trauma.

What are the priority concepts for the care of patients with oral cavity and esophageal problems?

Tissue integrity and Nutrition

What are the interrelated concepts for the care of patients with oral cavity and esophageal problems?

Gas Exchange and Pain

What three aspects of health are significantly affected by oral and esophageal problems?

Tissue integrity, nutrition status, and gas exchange

What is stomatitis?

Inflammation in the oral cavity characterized by painful, inflamed ulcerations.

Approximately what percentage of the general population is affected by Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis?

20%

What are some key health promotion and disease prevention strategies for stomatitis?

Proper oral hygiene, eating a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress, performing weekly self-examinations of the mouth, reporting changing conditions, ensuring dentures are in good repair and fit, brushing and flossing twice daily, avoiding alcohol-based mouthwash, avoiding drugs that increase inflammation, and seeing a dentist regularly.

What are the primary nursing diagnoses or hypotheses for stomatitis?

Impaired tissue integrity due to oral and/or esophageal lesions and pain due to oral and/or esophageal lesions.

What are the expected outcomes for a patient being treated for stomatitis?

To have healthy oral mucosa without inflammation or infection, and to experience minimized discomfort or absence of pain.

What is erythroplakia?

Precancerous red, velvety mucosal lesions found on the floor of the mouth, tongue, palate, and mandibular mucosa.

What is leukoplakia?

Thickened, white, firmly attached patches on the oral mucosa that cannot easily be scraped off, often appearing slightly raised and sharply rounded.

What medical condition is hairy leukoplakia often an early visible sign of?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

What type of cancer accounts for most oral cancers?

Squamous cell carcinomas

Where in the oral cavity is Kaposi's sarcoma often found?

Hard palate, gums, tongue, and tonsils

What is sialadenitis?

Inflammation of a salivary gland.

What characterizes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

The backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

What is a common predisposing factor for GERD that involves a change in the esophageal lining?

Barrett epithelium

What lifestyle modifications are recommended for managing GERD?

Healthy eating habits, limiting fried, fatty, spicy foods and caffeine, and sitting upright for one hour after eating.

What diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose GERD?

Upper endoscopy (EGD) and ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring.

What are the primary nursing concerns or diagnoses for a patient with GERD?

Potential for compromised nutrition status due to dietary selection and acute pain due to reflux of gastric contents.

What defines a hiatal hernia?

The protrusion of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the chest.

What diagnostic tests are used to identify a hiatal hernia?

Barium swallow study with fluoroscopy, EGD, and high resolution manometry with esophageal pressure topography.

What common surgical procedure is performed for a hiatal hernia to prevent reflux?

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

What are the primary risk factors for esophageal tumors?

Alcohol intake, diet, obesity, smoking, and untreated GERD.

What is the most common symptom of esophageal tumors?

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

What surgical procedure may be performed for an esophageal tumor?

Esophagectomy

What are some common causes of esophageal trauma?

Blunt injuries, chemical burns, surgery or endoscopy (rare), and continuous severe vomiting.

What is a critical initial treatment for esophageal trauma?

Keeping the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) for esophageal rest.