NUR 130: Final Exam Study Guide

Peripheral Vascular Indicators and Diagnostics

  • Associated Risk Factors and Causes:     * Smoking     * Diabetes     * Cholesterol     * Hypertension

  • Diagnostic Tools:     * Venous Duplex Ultrasound: A primary imaging modality for assessing venous flow.     * Brachial Index: Used as a diagnostic measure in vascular assessment.

  • Clinical Presentation of Skin:     * Yellowish-brownish discoloration.     * Note of odor associated with abnormal shaped skin.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Overview

  • Commonalities Between Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease:     * Both conditions are categorized as forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).     * The primary causes for both diseases remain not completely known.     * Both conditions significantly increase the long-term risk for developing colon cancer.     * Both diseases cause chronic inflammation and the development of ulcers.

  • Shared Classic Symptoms:     * Diarrhea     * Abdominal pain     * Weight loss     * Nutritional deficiencies     * Fatigue

  • Primary Diagnostic Tool:     * Colonoscopy is used to diagnose and differentiate both conditions.

  • Dietary Modifications for Management (Both Conditions):     * Fiber: Low fiber intake (↓ fiber\downarrow \text{ fiber}).     * Protein: Increased protein intake (↑ protein\uparrow \text{ protein}).     * Calories: Increased calorie intake (↑ calories\uparrow \text{ calories}).     * Fluids: Increased fluid intake (↑ fluids\uparrow \text{ fluids}).     * Meal Patterns: Small, frequent meals.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

  • Description: Characterized by chronic ulceration and inflammation focusing on the rectum and colon.

  • Anatomical Location: Affects the large intestine and rectum only.

  • Thickness of Involvement: Inflammation is limited to the submucosa or mucosa layers.

  • Visual Appearance:     * Inflamed areas are continuous rather than patchy.     * Does not show healthy "patches" of tissue between affected areas.     * Visible appearance defined by ulcers.

  • Unique Symptoms: Stool may contain mucus, pus, or blood.

  • Cure and Intervention:     * There is no definitive cure.     * Surgical intervention, specifically a colectomy, can help alleviate or eliminate symptoms.

  • Complications:     * Toxic megacolon.     * Rupture of the bowel.     * Dehydration.     * Increased risk for hemorrhage and shock.

  • Memory Trick: "ULCERative colitis think bloody ULCERS."

Crohn’s Disease (CD)

  • Description: Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract wall that occurs at any point through all layers of the tissue.

  • Anatomical Location: Can affect the entire GI tract, from the mouth to the anus.

  • Thickness of Involvement: Inflammation is transmural (occurring across the entire thickness of the wall).

  • Visual Appearance:     * Patches of inflammation are present throughout the bowel, intercalated with healthy tissue.     * This creates a distinct "cobblestone appearance."

  • Unique Symptoms: Steatorrhea (excess fat in the stool).

  • Cure and Intervention:     * There is no cure.     * Surgery can be utilized to help manage the symptoms.

  • Complications:     * Abscess formation.     * Fistulas.     * Increased risk for infection (sepsis).

  • Memory Trick: "Crohn's think Cobblestone."