Nursing Tips

Gastrointestinal (29)

Ascending = liquid, Transverse = semi-solid, Descending/Sigmoid = formed.

Ileostomoy versus Colostomy

Cathy Parkes

A patient with an ileostomy has a surgical opening created from the ileum. Bowel movements will be loose or watery. A colostomy, however, is created from the large intestine and...

1 comment

Ileostomoy versus Colostomy

Cathy Parkes

A patient with an ileostomy has a surgical opening created from the ileum. Bowel movements will be loose or watery. A colostomy, however, is created from the large intestine and...

1 comment
Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Cathy Parkes

Omeprazole and Pantoprazole are Proton Pump Inhibitors used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. HINT: I will take Omeprazole and pray my ulcer pain goes away....

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Cathy Parkes

Omeprazole and Pantoprazole are Proton Pump Inhibitors used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. HINT: I will take Omeprazole and pray my ulcer pain goes away....

Educate patients taking proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole) to report watery diarrhea, as these medications can cause C. diff by decreasing stomach acid production.

Proton Pump Inhibitors: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients taking proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole) to report watery diarrhea, as these medications can cause C. diff by decreasing stomach acid production.

Proton Pump Inhibitors: Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Educate patients taking proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole) to report watery diarrhea, as these medications can cause C. diff by decreasing stomach acid production.

Failure to Thrive (FTT) is indicated by a child's weight being less than the fifth percentile. Assess for both organic causes and parental bonding/care of the child.

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Cathy Parkes

Failure to Thrive (FTT) is indicated by a child's weight being less than the fifth percentile. Assess for both organic causes and parental bonding/care of the child.

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Cathy Parkes

Failure to Thrive (FTT) is indicated by a child's weight being less than the fifth percentile. Assess for both organic causes and parental bonding/care of the child.

A patient with appendicitis is likely to have RLQ pain at McBurney's Point along with rebound tenderness, nausea/vomiting, and fever.

Appendicitis: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

A patient with appendicitis is likely to have RLQ pain at McBurney's Point along with rebound tenderness, nausea/vomiting, and fever.

Appendicitis: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

A patient with appendicitis is likely to have RLQ pain at McBurney's Point along with rebound tenderness, nausea/vomiting, and fever.

When caring for a child with appendicitis, report to the provider any sudden relief of pain. This may indicate that the appendix has perforated and requires emergency surgery!

Appendicitis: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

When caring for a child with appendicitis, report to the provider any sudden relief of pain. This may indicate that the appendix has perforated and requires emergency surgery!

Appendicitis: Family Teaching

Cathy Parkes

When caring for a child with appendicitis, report to the provider any sudden relief of pain. This may indicate that the appendix has perforated and requires emergency surgery!

A patient undergoing a paracentesis (drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity using a needle) must empty their bladder prior to the procedure.

Paracentesis: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

A patient undergoing a paracentesis (drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity using a needle) must empty their bladder prior to the procedure.

Paracentesis: Nursing Care

Cathy Parkes

A patient undergoing a paracentesis (drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity using a needle) must empty their bladder prior to the procedure.

Nursing Tips - Ostomy Patient Teaching

Ostomy Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Ostomy patient teaching:  Cut opening in skin barrier ≤ 1/8" bigger than the measured stoma size to prevent skin damage from contact with ostomy output. Assess stoma regularly - should...

Ostomy Patient Teaching

Cathy Parkes

Ostomy patient teaching:  Cut opening in skin barrier ≤ 1/8" bigger than the measured stoma size to prevent skin damage from contact with ostomy output. Assess stoma regularly - should...

A child with Meckel's Diverticulum is likely to exhibit painless rectal bleeding and stool with the consistency and appearance of "currant jelly."

Meckel's Diverticulum

Cathy Parkes

A child with Meckel's Diverticulum is likely to exhibit painless rectal bleeding and stool with the consistency and appearance of "currant jelly."

Meckel's Diverticulum

Cathy Parkes

A child with Meckel's Diverticulum is likely to exhibit painless rectal bleeding and stool with the consistency and appearance of "currant jelly."

A major complication of peptic ulcer disease is perforation of an ulcer. Assess for symptoms of perforation such as severe pain, fever, or a rigid/boardlike abdomen.

Peptic Ulcer Disease: Signs and Symptoms

Cathy Parkes

A major complication of peptic ulcer disease is perforation of an ulcer. Assess for symptoms of perforation such as severe pain, fever, or a rigid/boardlike abdomen.

Peptic Ulcer Disease: Signs and Symptoms

Cathy Parkes

A major complication of peptic ulcer disease is perforation of an ulcer. Assess for symptoms of perforation such as severe pain, fever, or a rigid/boardlike abdomen.

Celiac Disease is the inability to digest gluten. Foods containing wheat, rye, and barley should be avoided.

Celiac Disease

Cathy Parkes

Celiac disease is the inability to digest gluten. Patients with celiac disease CAN eat: dairy, rice, corn, potatoes, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Foods containing wheat, rye, and barley should be...

Celiac Disease

Cathy Parkes

Celiac disease is the inability to digest gluten. Patients with celiac disease CAN eat: dairy, rice, corn, potatoes, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Foods containing wheat, rye, and barley should be...

A child who is crying without producing tears should be evaluated for severe dehydration.  In this case a child may also have deeply sunken eyes, little to no urine output, have lost > 10% of their body weight, and could have capillary refill > 4 seconds.

Severe Dehydration in Children

Cathy Parkes

A child who is crying without producing tears should be evaluated for severe dehydration.

Severe Dehydration in Children

Cathy Parkes

A child who is crying without producing tears should be evaluated for severe dehydration.

Best practices for patients with DYSPHAGIA: Sit patient in upright position (High-fowler's). Lightly stroke chin/throat to promote swallowing. Teach patient to tuck their chin towards their chest when swallowing. Thicken thin liquids.

Dysphagia Best Practices

Cathy Parkes

Best practices for patients with DYSPHAGIA

Dysphagia Best Practices

Cathy Parkes

Best practices for patients with DYSPHAGIA

ANTACIDS: Take 1 hr and 3 hr after meals, and at bedtime. Also take 1 hour before or after other medications (not WITH other medications)

When to take Antacids

Cathy Parkes

ANTACIDS: Take 1 hr and 3 hr after meals, and at bedtime. Also take 1 hour before or after other medications (not WITH other medications)

When to take Antacids

Cathy Parkes

ANTACIDS: Take 1 hr and 3 hr after meals, and at bedtime. Also take 1 hour before or after other medications (not WITH other medications)

Nursing Tips - Dysphagia

Dysphagia

Cathy Parkes

Patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) need to have a swallow evaluation by a speech language pathologist.

Dysphagia

Cathy Parkes

Patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) need to have a swallow evaluation by a speech language pathologist.

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers

Cathy Parkes

Key differences in symptoms for Gastric and Duodenal ulcers: Gastric ulcer: Pain 30-60 minutes after meal, worse in DAY, worse with eating. Duodenal ulcer: Pain 1.5-3 hours after meal, worse...

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers

Cathy Parkes

Key differences in symptoms for Gastric and Duodenal ulcers: Gastric ulcer: Pain 30-60 minutes after meal, worse in DAY, worse with eating. Duodenal ulcer: Pain 1.5-3 hours after meal, worse...

Patient Teaching for GERD

Patient Teaching for GERD

Cathy Parkes

Patient teaching for GERD: Avoid fatty, fried, citrus, spicy foods. Eat smaller meals. Remain upright after meals. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Lose weight (if applicable). Quit smoking. Elevate HOB with blocks.

Patient Teaching for GERD

Cathy Parkes

Patient teaching for GERD: Avoid fatty, fried, citrus, spicy foods. Eat smaller meals. Remain upright after meals. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Lose weight (if applicable). Quit smoking. Elevate HOB with blocks.

Dumping Syndrome Nutrition

Dumping Syndrome Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Nutrition recommendations to prevent DUMPING syndrome: Consume small frequent meals. Do not drink liquids with meals. Include protein and fat at each meal. Avoid dairy products and concentrated sugar.

Dumping Syndrome Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Nutrition recommendations to prevent DUMPING syndrome: Consume small frequent meals. Do not drink liquids with meals. Include protein and fat at each meal. Avoid dairy products and concentrated sugar.

Diverticulitis Nutrition

Diverticulitis Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Patients with Diverticulitis should avoid seeds and husks. Avoid: popcorn, tomatoes, berries.

Diverticulitis Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Patients with Diverticulitis should avoid seeds and husks. Avoid: popcorn, tomatoes, berries.

Cholecystitis Nutrition

Cholecystitis Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Patients with cholecystitis should consume a LOW FAT diet.

Cholecystitis Nutrition

Cathy Parkes

Patients with cholecystitis should consume a LOW FAT diet.

Sucralfate

Sucralfate

Cathy Parkes

Sucralfate is a Mucosal Protectant used to treat duodenal ulcers. It reacts with stomach acid to form a thick paste that adheres to ulcers. HINT: Sucralfate gets sucked down into ulcers.

Sucralfate

Cathy Parkes

Sucralfate is a Mucosal Protectant used to treat duodenal ulcers. It reacts with stomach acid to form a thick paste that adheres to ulcers. HINT: Sucralfate gets sucked down into ulcers.

IBS Medications

IBS Medications

Cathy Parkes

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Medications: alosetron is used for IBS w/diarrhea.HINT: You might aloe on your backside from all that diarrhea.  Lubiprostone is used for IBS w/consipation. HINT: Use lubiprostone to "lube up...

IBS Medications

Cathy Parkes

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Medications: alosetron is used for IBS w/diarrhea.HINT: You might aloe on your backside from all that diarrhea.  Lubiprostone is used for IBS w/consipation. HINT: Use lubiprostone to "lube up...

Ondansetron

Ondansetron

Cathy Parkes

Ondansetron is an antiemetic (used to prevent nausea and vomiting). Hint: "I threw up on DAN. Better get me some ondansetron."

Ondansetron

Cathy Parkes

Ondansetron is an antiemetic (used to prevent nausea and vomiting). Hint: "I threw up on DAN. Better get me some ondansetron."

Misoprostol and Pregnancy

Misoprostol and Pregnancy

Cathy Parkes

Misoprostol can be used to prevent gastric ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs. Do NOT administer to a patient who might be pregnant (because it can cause a miscarriage). HINT: "Me...

Misoprostol and Pregnancy

Cathy Parkes

Misoprostol can be used to prevent gastric ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs. Do NOT administer to a patient who might be pregnant (because it can cause a miscarriage). HINT: "Me...

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Cathy Parkes

Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (ex: ranitidine and famotidine) are used to treat ulcers and GERD. These meds will help you feel better when you "dine".

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists and DINE-ing

Cathy Parkes

Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (ex: ranitidine and famotidine) are used to treat ulcers and GERD. These meds will help you feel better when you "dine".

Primary use of Lactulose

Primary use of Lactulose

Cathy Parkes

Lactulose is a laxative, but it is primarily used to decrease AMMONIA levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Primary use of Lactulose

Cathy Parkes

Lactulose is a laxative, but it is primarily used to decrease AMMONIA levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Administering misoprostol

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

Administering misoprostol

Cathy Parkes

When administering a misoprostol (for prevention of gastric ulcers) to a person of child-bearing age, be sure to run a PREGNANCY test first as this medication can cause a miscarriage!

Choking hazard foods

Choking hazard foods

Cathy Parkes

The following foods pose a choking hazard for small children: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, grapes, raw carrots, hotdogs, celery, peanut butter, candy, tough meat.

Choking hazard foods

Cathy Parkes

The following foods pose a choking hazard for small children: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, grapes, raw carrots, hotdogs, celery, peanut butter, candy, tough meat.

Albumin and prealbumin

Albumin and prealbumin

Cathy Parkes

When evaluating a patient's nutritional status, be sure to check: albumin (normal range: 3.5-5) and prealbumin levels (normal range 15-36).

Albumin and prealbumin

Cathy Parkes

When evaluating a patient's nutritional status, be sure to check: albumin (normal range: 3.5-5) and prealbumin levels (normal range 15-36).