GI Assessment & Diagnostics
This pancreatic enzyme is commonly elevated in acute pancreatitis and is used to support the diagnosis.
Lipase
Bloody diarrhea containing mucus is most characteristic of this inflammatory bowel disease.
Ulcerative colitis (UC)
This organ is a common site for colorectal cancer metastasis through the bloodstream.
Liver
This substance accumulates when the liver cannot adequately detoxify protein waste and contributes to hepatic encephalopathy.
Ammonia
Acute cholecystitis most commonly produces pain in this abdominal quadrant.
Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
This medication is used in hepatic encephalopathy to help decrease ammonia levels by increasing its elimination through the stool.
Lactulose
Before an EGD, the patient should remain NPO for this period.
6-8 hours
Deep, transmural inflammation makes patients with this inflammatory bowel disease particularly susceptible to fistulas.
Crohn's Disease
A healthy newly created stoma should have these two major characteristics.
Pink/red & moist
This “flapping” hand tremor may be observed in a patient experiencing hepatic encephalopathy.
Asterixis
Pain with sudden inspiratory arrest during RUQ palpation is known as this assessment finding.
Murphy's sign
A patient with chronic pancreatitis is prescribed this medication to improve digestion and decrease steatorrhea.
Pancrelipase (Creon)
Before allowing a patient to eat or drink following an EGD, the nurse must verify the return of this.
Gag reflex
A patient with diverticulitis will most commonly report pain in this abdominal quadrant.
Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
The nurse should teach a patient to empty an ostomy pouch once it reaches approximately this level.
1/3 to 1/2 full
This medication is frequently administered to lower ammonia levels in patients experiencing hepatic encephalopathy.
Lactulose
These are two common causes of acute pancreatitis.
Gallstones & alcohol use
A patient with portal hypertension is prescribed this beta blocker to decrease portal pressure and reduce the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding.
Propranolol
A patient develops severe abdominal pain, guarding, and abdominal rigidity following a colonoscopy. The nurse should suspect this complication.
Bowel perforation
A patient with severe ulcerative colitis develops fever, increasing abdominal distention, and severe abdominal pain. The nurse suspects this life-threatening complication.
Toxic Megacolon
A patient returns from colorectal surgery. The nurse assesses the new stoma and finds it dark purple and dry. This finding raises concern for this complication.
Stoma ischemia/necrosis
A patient with cirrhosis has a prolonged PT/INR. The nurse recognizes that this laboratory result indicates an increased risk for this complication.
Bleeding/hemorrhage
A patient with chronic pancreatitis is prescribed pancrelipase (Creon). Which assessment finding best indicates the medication is effective?
Decreased fatty/oily stools (steatorrhea) and improved digestion
A patient is admitted with active bleeding from esophageal varices. The nurse anticipates administration of this medication to decrease GI blood flow and portal pressure.
Octreotide
A patient with chronic diarrhea reports weakness and muscle cramps and develops an irregular heart rhythm. The nurse should be particularly concerned about losses of these electrolytes.
Potassium & magnesium
A patient with diverticulitis suddenly develops widespread rebound tenderness, a rigid abdomen, hypotension, and tachycardia. What complication should the nurse suspect?
Bowel perforation with peritonitis and possible sepsis
A patient with a new ileostomy has large amounts of continuous liquid output. What complication should be the nurse's greatest concern?
Fluid volume deficit/dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
A patient with cirrhosis suddenly becomes confused following an episode of GI bleeding. Explain the connection between these two findings.
GI bleeding increases the amount of protein/nitrogenous material in the GI tract, which can increase ammonia production and worsen hepatic encephalopathy?
A patient with acute pancreatitis has a BP of 82/46 mm Hg and HR of 130/min. What complication should the nurse recognize as the immediate concern?
Hypovolemic shock
A patient with Crohn's disease has been receiving corticosteroid therapy. The patient states, “My symptoms are gone, so I stopped taking the medication yesterday.” What potential complication should be the nurse's priority concern?
Acute adrenal insufficiency due to abrupt corticosteroid withdrawal