PRCC Level 2 Woods GI Sytsem

2026

What are the functions of the GI system?

Digestion, elimination, absorption

Define mastication

Chewing

________is the rumbling or gurgling sounds in the stomach or intestines related to food, fluid, or gas movement.

Borborygmus

________an epigastric burning sensation, often referred to as heartburn.

Dyspepsia

Define flatulence.

Gas in the lower GI tract

Define steatorrhea.

Fatty Stools

________is defined as reverse or backward flow.

Reflux

________is the entry to digestion that is responsible for mechanical and chemical food breakdown.

Mouth

________carries food from the pharynx to the stomach

Esophagus

________is a temporary reservoir for food. The parietal cells here secrete intrinsic factor, a chemical needed for the absorption of vitamin B12.

Stomach

________is the largest abdominal organ with numerous functions such as absorption and metabolism of nutrients: degradation of toxins, hormones, and medications: and synthesis of proteins (clotting factors, albumin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin)

Liver

________used to detect the livers edge. A palpation technique that only an NP or MD can do.

Hooking technique

The________is a pear shaped sac located in the RUQ that responsible for bile storage and concentration.

Gallbladder

________is an organ with both exocrine and endocrine functions. As an endocrine gland, it produces insulin and glucagon. An exocrine gland, it secretes 1,200 to 1,500 mL daily of________ juice.

Pancreas; Pancreatic Juice/Digestive Enzymes

The________is divided into 3 components, the________,________,________. It is where protein, carbohydrates, and fat digestion and absorption occur.

Small Intestine; Duodenum; Jejunum; Ileum

The function of the________is the flid and electrolyte reabsorption and elimination. The________includes the________,________(ascending,transverse,descending,and sigmoid), and the________ canal.

Large Intestine; Cecum; Colon; Anal

The health history of the gastrointestinal system includes:

________ (age, gender, culture, travel outside the country), ________(dietary practices, oral health, food allergies, pain/discomfort with eating, socioeconomic status),________&________, and ________(changes in bowel patterns, presence of blood in stools, wt gain, pain).

General History; Nutrition History; Genetic Risks & Family Hx; Current Health Problems

For Pain use:

PQRS

Sequence of examination techniques.

Inspection/Auscultaion/Palpitaion/Precussion

When determining abssence of bowel sounds, auscultate each quadrant for at least ________minutes.

5

________is the definition of bright red blood in the stool.

Hematochezia

________is the definition of black tarry stool

Melena

________is the yellowish coloring of the skin and/or sclera of the eyes

Jaundice

Antiseptics; Opioids; Constipation; Anticholinergics; Ileus; Late indicator of obstruction

Hypoactive Bowel Sounds

Cholinergic; Infection disorder; Diarrhea; Inflammatory bile disorder; Early indicator of obstruction

Hyperactive Bowel Sounds

Abdominal surgery; Peritonitis; Paralytic Ileum

Absent Bowel Sounds

Presence of an aneurism

Bruit heard over the abdominal aorta

Intra-abdominal bleeding(bluish around the umbilical region)

Cullen’s Sign

List the urine tests:

Amylase and Urobillinogen

Diagnostic stool tests:

FIT(annual); gFOBT; Mutitargeted Stool DNA Test (every 3 years); Fecal Fats Test

________is a plain film that reveals masses, tumors, and strictures, or obstruction.

X-Ray

________is a noninvasive cross sectional xray used to detect tissue densities and abnormalities in the abdomen, including the liver, pancreas, spleen, and biliary tract. Patient needs to be NPO________hrs prior o test for medical implants

CT Scan; 4

________evaluates the abdomen and is organs with the use of powerful magnets, radiation is not used. Assess patient prior to test for medical implants.

MRI

________Direct visualization of the GI tract using a flexible fiber-optic endoscope. (Can get signed by nurse, but MD explains procedure)

Endoscopy

________provides visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Patient is NPO ______ hours prior to the study. If applicable, remove dentures. Educate patient to avoid ___,____,____ a ___ before procedure.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD); 6-8; anticoagulants, aspirin, NSAIDS; Week

________Provides visualization of the pancreatic and biliary ducts; patient shuld be NPO ____ hours prior to the study. If applicable remove dentres. Educate patient to avoid ___,____,____ a ___ before procedure.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); 6-8; anticoagulants; aspirin; NSAIDS; week

______Offers a visual of the small intestines, patient is NPO including water, for ______ hours before the test and NPO for the first ______ hours of the testing. The patient may drink clear liquids after _____ hours and have a light lunch after ______ hours.

Small Bowel Endoscopy/ Enterscopy; 12; 2; 2; 4

______provides visualization of the colon from the anus to the cecum; patient is NPO ______hours prior to the study. AVOID____,____and____ dyes(because it looks like blood)

Colonscopy;several

The American Cancer Society recommends a ________every ____years in all healthy men and women beginning at age ______ years old.

Colonoscopy; 10; 45

______is a noninvasive imaging procedure to obtain multidimensional views of the entire colon. It is similar to a traditional colonoscopy except it doesn’t offer treatment of polyps or bleeding if detected.

Virtual Colonoscopy

______provides visualization of the sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus; screens for colon cancer, investigates the source of GI bleeding, and is used to diagnose or monitor inflammatory bowel disease; the patient is able to consume a clear liquid diet.

Proto Sigmoidoscopy

______used to view soft tissues such as the liver, spleen, pancreas, and biliary system. It is painless, noninvasive, requires no radiation, and requires no specific prep or follow-up. The patient is usually placed in a supine position.

Ultrasonography

______used to diagnose the presence of lymph node tumors, mucosal tumors, and tumors of the pancreas, stomach, and rectum. The patient prep and follow-up care are similar to those for both endoscopy and ultrasonography

Endoscopic Ultrasonography

______evaluates the liver and spleen for tumors or abscesses, organ size and location, and blood flow.

Liver Spleen Scan

Which quadrant of the abdomen would the nurse assess when palpating for the liver?

RUQ

Which assessment datum indicates a possible complication in a patient after a routine sigmoidoscopy with a tissue biopsy?

Heavy bleeding

Which type of sound will likely be heard during auscultation when a patient is diagnosed with gastroenteritis?

Loud gurgling sounds

Which finding does the nurse expect when auscultating during an abdominal assessment?

High-pitched irregular gurgles

Which condition would the nurse suspect when a patient’s urine displays elevated levels of amylase?

Pancreatitis

Which decrease is an expected age-related change in the gastrointestinal (GI) system that may lead to steatorrhea?

Lipase production

Which abnormal laboratory test would require the nurse to immediately notify the health care provider (HCP) when caring for a patient preparing to undergo an appendectomy due to appendicitis?

Prolonged prothrombin time (PT)

Which action would the nurse take upon hearing a "swooshing" sound when auscultating the midline of the abdomen?

Notify the health care provider.

Which action is appropriate for the nurse when noting a 2-cm circular, pulsating mass in the midline area above the patient’s umbilicus during the abdominal assessment of an adult patient?

Notify the health care provider.

Which finding requires immediate health care provider (HCP) notification when performing an abdominal assessment of a patient who presents for an annual physical examination?

Abdominal aortic bruit; Tenderness on palpation; Palpable abdominal pulsation

Which gastrointestinal (GI) secretion aids in vitamin B absorption?

Intrinsic factor

Which change is associated with aging in the gastrointestinal (GI) system?

Decreased hydrochloric acid

Which organ would the nurse expect to hear dullness upon percussing during the abdominal assessment?

Liver

Which patient outcome would the nurse expect after administering midazolam hydrochloride in preparation for esophagogastroduodenoscopy?

Sedation

Which change to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract would the nurse anticipate with aging?

Decreased fat digestion

Which vitamin absorption is affected by a lack of intrinsic factor, as occurs with pernicious anemia?

Vitamin B12

Which laboratory result would the nurse anticipate being elevated for a patient admitted with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C infection?

Ammonia; Total bilirubin; Alkaline phosphatase

. Which action would the nurse implement when performing an abdominal assessment on a patient?

Ask the patient to empty the bladder before the examination.

Which would the nurse suspect when assessing a patient with acute abdominal pain who has visible peristaltic movements upon abdominal inspection?

Intestinal obstruction

Which organ dysfunction would the nurse suspect in a patient with elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels?

Liver

"P"

provocation or palliation

Q

quality or quantity of the pain

R

region or radiation

S

severity scale

Which condition is indicated when a nurse notes elevated levels of serum total bilirubin, conjugated (direct) bilirubin, and urinary urobilinogen in a patient’s laboratory results?

Biliary obstruction

Which laboratory result would the nurse evaluate for a patient diagnosed with pancreatitis?

Cholesterol; Serum lipase; Total calcium; Cancer antigen; Serum amylase

Place the abdominal assessment and examination steps in the correct order for a patient presenting with acute abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant.

RUQ, LUQ, LLQ, and RLQ

Which gastrointestinal (GI) health problem would the nurse suspect when a patient is admitted to the hospital with elevated serum amylase and lipase levels and a decreased calcium level?

Acute pancreatitis