Chapter 20 A Person-centred Approach to Assessing the Gastrointestinal System

55 year old Phyllis Green visits the general practitioners surgery with concerns about weight gain during menopause. Mrs Green asks the nurse for information concerning high-carbohydrate foods she should monitor in her diet. Which of the following recommendations by the nurse is most appropriate?

Mr Frankston attends the outpatient clinic every month for routine blood pressure and cholesterol testing. During the latest visit, Mr Frankston asks the nurse to describe the role of adipose tissue. The nurse explains that adipose tissue acts as an insulating layer to help reduce heat loss through the skin and it acts as a protective agent around the organs. From the following, which is the third primary function of adipose tissue in the human body the nurse should describe to Mr Frankston?

A principal function of the liver is bile production and the live cells make approximately 700-1200mL per day. During periods when bile is not required for digestion, where is it stored?

Mr Barry Gee, aged 45 years, visits the practice nurse complaining of recent bouts of constipation. During the discussion Mr Gee reports that he often suppresses the feeling of defecation. The nurse understands that the suppression of the defecation reflex may be voluntarily controlled by:

What will stimulation by sympathetic nervous system cause in the stomach and small intestine?

The fundus, body, cardiac region and pylorus are all regions of which part of the gastrointestinal system?

Miss Penny Lowe, 22 years, has been having recent episodes of abdominal cramping and loose watery stools. What is the most appropriate question the nurse should ask this person regarding her recent changes in bowel elimination?

When conducting a health assessment interview for Mr Gary Black's gastrointestinal system, what questions should the nurse ask to determine Mr Black's nutritional -metabolic pattern?

In a busy emergency department Alex Thompson has presented with abdominal pain. During the assessment the triage nurse asks Alex to specify the location of his pain. He directs his hand to the right upper quadrant of his abdomen. Which gastrointestinal disorder does the triage nurse infer?

Ms. Sally Lake attends her local general practice with complaints of recent weight gain. Which inquiry by the nurse will provide the most useful information to assist in the development of the plan of care?

Mrs Abby Evans is scheduled for a Bernstein test. The nurse caring for Mrs Evans should instruct her that this test assists in distinguishing between:

Mr Richard Brown is scheduled to undergo a liver biopsy. During the pre-procedural education, the nurse caring for Mr. Brown demonstrates exhaling and then holding the breath, as this action will need to be performed during the procedure. Mr Brown asks the nurse why this is being recommended. What explanation should the nurse provide?

The nurse caring for Mrs Deana Watts, aged 78 years, suspects that she is experiencing stomach mucosa atrophy when Mrs Watts complains of:

Mr Jack Black, aged 71 years, visits the practice nurse after his wife notices that he is over seasoning his meals. What should the nurse explain to Mr Black?

88 year old Debra Davis is attending the outpatient clinic at the local acute care facility to discuss with the nurse that her ability to swallow is increasingly taking longer. As all other assessment results are unremarkable, the nurse identifies that the increase in swallow time is an age-related change due to which of the following:

Mr. Simon Marshall a well and active 71year old, visits the practice nurse to have a laceration redressed on his forearm. During the visit he discusses concerns that his mouth always seems to be dry and as a result he finds eating unpleasant. What is the first action the nurse should take?

When obtaining a health assessment the nurse discovers that Terry Ford has had a large proportion of his small bowel including the duodenum removed as a result of serious trauma. What concerns might the nurse have for his nutritional status?

During an abdominal assessment, the nurse palpates for rebound tenderness and identifies peritoneal inflammation. What assisted the nurse to make this diagnosis?

Mrs Bates has been admitted to hospital for rehydration therapy due to nausea and vomiting. During the abdominal assessment the nurse documents that bowel sounds are absent with a sudden increase in abdominal pain. What would be the immediate action of the nurse caring for Mrs Bates?

During an admission to the gastrointestinal ward the nurse performs an assessment of Mrs Lewis's oral cavity. The nurse detects the presence of white-coated tongue. What action should the nurse perform next?

Mr Blake Owen, aged 32 years, has attended an appointment with the practice nurse. During the oral assessment the nurse notices lesions on the corners of his mouth and Mr Owen reports that they're a very painful. Mr Owen asks the nurse what may be causing these lesions. How should the nurse respond?

Mr Stan Bates presents to the emergency department complaining of lethargy and during an inspection of Mr Stan Bates abdomen, the emergency nurse observes spider angiomas. What should the emergency nurse identify as the most likely cause of this finding?

Melaena is black, tarry stools characterised by an offensive smell due to the presence of blood as a result of an upper gastrointestinal bleed. This breakdown of the blood also accounts for the dark colouration. Which mineral may turn stools black and mask melaena?

Hayley Sherwood presents to her local general practice with a history of coeliac disease. This disorder results in the malabsorption of nutrients triggered by an autoimmune response. Which gastrointestinal organ does this auto immune response cause damage to?

Mrs Stacey Green, aged 67 years is currently being treated with chemotherapy for cancer. Mrs is also receiving TPN and has developed stomatitis. The most appropriate nursing intervention for Mrs Green is to: