Digestive System Final Exam

Movement of food through the digestive tract

digestion

Backflow of stomach acid

Reflux

NPO

Nothing By Mouth

Why might a patient be NPO?

Before surgery preparation, nausea and vomiting, preventing aspiration during sedation or anesthesia

What happens after nutrients are absorbed?

Non absorbed material (waste), travels through the large intestine, into the rectum, and is eventually eliminated through the anus

Emesis

Vomiting

Ascites

Buildup of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Bloating, rapid weight gain, SOB, abdominal distension

Ascites

Diverticulosis

fecal matter is trapped in the Diverticula (abdominal outpouchings in the intestinal wall of the colon)

pain, rectal bleeding, mucous membrane bulging through weak intestinal wall

Diverticulosis

Cirrhosis

Chronic Degenerative Liver Disease where lobs of the liver are infiltrated with fat and scarred with fibrous tissue

yellow/orange discoloration, chronic alcoholism, viral hepatitis, iron overload: fatigue, weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite, fluid retention, jaundice, bleeding disorders

Cirrhosis

GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: solids return to mouth from stomach

heartburn, reflux, stomach acid

GERD

Cholelithiasis

Gallstone disease - hardened stones in the gallbladder prevent bile from leaving gallbladder and bileducts

Sudden intense abdominal pain in the upper right side, nausea, vomiting, pain radiating to back or right shoulder

Cholelithiasis

IBS

Inflammation of the colon and small intestine (Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis)

recurring abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, mucus in stool

IBS

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancrease - digestive enzymes attack pancreatic tissue and damage the gland

Severe sudden upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back or the chest, persistent nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, fever, jaundice, chronic alcoholism, drug toxicity, gallstone obstruction, viral infections

Pancreatitis