Nursing: Gastrointestinal Elimination, Hematology, Nutrition, and Vitamins & Minerals

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering gastrointestinal elimination, iron deficiency anemia and hematology, core nutritional metabolism principles, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Chyme

The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum of the small intestine.

Fecal Impaction

Prolonged retention and accumulation of fecal material forming a hardened mass in the rectum, characterized by symptoms such as constipation, fecal seepage, rectal pain, abdominal distention, and nausea or vomiting.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

A gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that produces two exotoxins (toxin A and toxin B) and accounts for $15\text{--}25\%$ of all antibiotic-associated diarrhea episodes; managed via contact isolation and washing hands with soap and water.

BRAT Diet

A dietary protocol recommended to manage diarrhea consisting of Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast.

Fecal Incontinence

The loss of voluntary ability to control fecal and gaseous discharges through the anal sphincter, which may result from stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, dementia, sphincter dysfunction, or fecal impaction.

Hemorrhoids

Dilated portions of veins located within the anal canal that can be classified as internal or external, presenting with symptoms like itching, pain, and bright red rectal bleeding.

Mechanical Bowel Obstruction

An intraluminal obstruction of the intestine resulting from physical blockages such as pressure on the intestinal wall, diverticulum, or widespread dense adhesions.

Functional Bowel Obstruction

An intestinal obstruction occurring when the intestinal musculature is impaired and fails to propel luminal contents forward without an internal mechanical barrier.

Stoma

A surgically created opening of the gastrointestinal tract onto the abdominal skin surface, constructed as an end stoma, double-barrel stoma, or loop stoma.

Ileostomy vs. Colostomy

An ileostomy diverts bowel at the ileum producing liquid, unformed effluent and carrying high risk for malnutrition; a colostomy diverts bowel at the large intestine producing mushy-to-formed stool and carrying high risk for dehydration.

Colonoscopy

A direct visualization diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible scope advanced through the rectum into the large intestine to inspect mucosa and detect abnormalities such as cancerous growths.

Upper GI Series

A diagnostic fluoroscopic examination where ingested barium contrast medium is monitored as it traverses the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Barium Enema

A diagnostic imaging study that uses rectally instilled liquid barium contrast to coat the lining of the large intestine for radiographic evaluation.

Hematopoiesis

The physiological process of blood cell formation arising from pluripotent stem cells in the bone marrow, differentiating into myeloid and lymphoid stem cell lineages.

Hypoproliferative Anemia

A classification of anemia characterized by defective or deficient production of red blood cells due to iron, vitamin $B_{12}$, or folate deficiency, or decreased erythropoietin production.

Hemolytic Anemia

Anemia resulting from the premature and excessive destruction of red blood cells caused by altered erythropoiesis, hypersplenism, drug-induced or autoimmune processes, or mechanical heart valves.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Anemia occurring when dietary iron intake is inadequate for hemoglobin synthesis; definitively diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration, presenting with decreased reticulocytes, iron, ferritin, iron saturation, and MCV, and increased TIBC.

Angular Cheilosis

Inflammation, cracking, and soreness at the corners of the mouth, seen as a clinical manifestation of iron deficiency anemia and riboflavin deficiency.

Pica

An abnormal craving and compulsive consumption of non-food substances such as ice, starch, or dirt, commonly observed in patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

A laboratory measure of the average volume of a red blood cell, with normal values between $80\text{--}94\,\text{mcm}^3$; decreased in iron deficiency anemia.

Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

A blood test measuring the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin, with a normal reference range of $229\text{--}365\,\mu\text{g/dL}$; characteristically increased in iron deficiency anemia.

Ferritin

The primary iron storage protein in the body, with normal ranges of $5\text{--}100\,\text{ng/mL}$ in females and $10\text{--}270\,\text{ng/mL}$ in males; decreased in iron deficiency anemia.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts that supply energy and build tissues, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients

Essential dietary substances required in smaller amounts to regulate and control body processes, comprising vitamins and minerals.

Ketosis Threshold

The minimum requirement of carbohydrate intake, set at $50\text{--}100\,\text{grams}$ per day, necessary to prevent abnormal fat breakdown and the formation of ketone bodies.

Essential Amino Acids

The $9$ amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body in sufficient quantities and must be obtained directly from dietary sources.

Complete Proteins

Dietary proteins containing all nine essential amino acids in sufficient amounts; typically sourced from animal foods (meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs) and soy (the only plant-based complete protein).

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The rate at which the body metabolizes energy at rest to maintain involuntary vital life functions, quantified as $0.9\,\text{cal/kg/hour}$ for women and $1.0\,\text{cal/kg/hour}$ for men.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of weight relative to height calculated as $\frac{\text{Weight in pounds}}{(\text{Height in inches})^2} \times 703$, where underweight is $<18.5$, overweight is $25\text{--}29.9$, obesity class 1 is $30\text{--}34.9$, obesity class 2 is $35.0\text{--}39.9$, and extreme obesity is $\ge 40$.

MyPlate Guidelines

A nutritional guide established by the USDA emphasizing balancing calories, making half of the plate fruits and vegetables, making at least half of grains whole grains, and switching to fat-free or low-fat ($1\%$) milk.

Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

A severe nutritional deficiency syndrome common in chronic illness and cancer, manifested by low protein and albumin levels, marked weight loss, and visible muscle and subcutaneous fat wasting.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

A highly concentrated hypertonic intravenous nutrient solution ($25\%$ glucose concentration or greater) administered through a central venous access device when the GI tract is nonfunctional.

Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)

A lower-concentration intravenous nutrition solution ($10\%$ glucose or less) administered through a peripheral vein for temporary, short-term nutritional support lasting less than $2\,\text{weeks}$.

Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A)

A plant-derived dietary precursor to vitamin A that acts as an antioxidant protecting cells against oxygen damage; rich sources include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, squash, mango, and cantaloupe.

Vitamin D

A fat-soluble nutrient considered a prohormone because the body converts it into an active hormone, promoting intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption; deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin E

A fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin carried by lipoproteins that functions with vitamin C and selenium to protect red blood cell membranes from oxidative hemolysis.

Vitamin K

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for the hepatic synthesis of prothrombin and blood coagulation; administered to newborns to prevent intracranial hemorrhage due to low levels in breast milk.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

A water-soluble antioxidant required for collagen formation, wound healing, and nonheme iron absorption; deficiency produces scurvy with bleeding gums, loose teeth, bruising, and poor tissue repair.

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

A water-soluble coenzyme essential for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, requiring $1.1\,\text{mg/day}$ in females and $1.2\,\text{mg/day}$ in males; deficiency manifests as appetite loss, fatigue, irritability, and constipation.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

A water-soluble B vitamin essential for carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and healthy mucosa; deficiency causes cheilosis, dermatitis, eye itching, burning, and fatigue.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

A water-soluble vitamin consisting of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide functioning in cellular energy metabolism, measured in niacin equivalents ($1\,\text{NE} = 1\,\text{mg}$ niacin or $60\,\text{mg}$ tryptophan).

Folate (Vitamin B9)

A water-soluble vitamin necessary for DNA synthesis, protein metabolism, and hemoglobin formation with an RDA of $400\,\mu\text{g/day}$; maternal deficiency is linked to neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

A water-soluble vitamin required for folate metabolism and myelin sheath maintenance, found almost exclusively in animal foods; lack of gastric intrinsic factor prevents its absorption, leading to pernicious anemia.

Macrominerals

Major inorganic mineral elements required in the human diet in quantities of $100\,\text{mg}$ or greater per day, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur.

Microminerals

Trace inorganic mineral elements required by the body in quantities less than $100\,\text{mg}$ per day, including iron, zinc, copper, fluoride, iodine, selenium, chromium, and manganese.

Calcium (Ca)

A macromineral stored in bone tissue that is essential for bone structure, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood clotting, and myocardial activity, with a daily adult requirement of approximately $1200\,\text{mg/day}$.

Iodine (I)

A trace mineral essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones triiodothyronine ($T_3$) and thyroxine ($T_4$) to regulate basal metabolic rate; deficiency leads to goiter.

Zinc (Zn)

A micromineral essential for tissue growth, wound healing, taste acuity, glucose tolerance, and vitamin A mobilization; deficiency produces growth retardation, delayed healing, and loss of taste acuity.