Signs and Symptoms
This is an abnormal fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity.
What is ascites?
This is key patient and nursing priority for patients with pancreatitis (after the ABCDE’s are managed).
What is pain management?
These are common causes of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are Mallory-Weiss tears, ulcers, GERD, and burst esophageal varices?
This is the gold standard diagnostic for many causes of GI bleeding.
What is endoscopy
(both gastroscopy and colonoscopy)?
This is the best test to confirm that an NG tube is placed correctly.
What is a chest X-ray?
This is an expected finding when percussing over the abdomen of a patient with ascites.
What is tympany?
This is a key concerning symptom in a patient with ascites.
What is shortness of breath or dyspnea?
These are the top 2 common causes of acute pancreatitis.
What are gallstones and alcohol use?
Elevations of these lab tests generally indicate liver damage or injury.
What is AST, ALT, and ALP?
When used in patients with GI alterations, NG tubes are commonly attached to this after insertion.
What is suction?
Seeing confusion, changes in sleep patterns, and/or inappropriate behaviour in a patient with liver failure might indicate this.
What is (mild-moderate) hepatic encephalopathy?
This is the rationale for monitoring blood glucose in a patient diagnosed with acute or chronic pancreatitis.
What is the risk of abnormal insulin production from the pancreas?
GERD and peptic ulcers can progress to this life-threatening complication.
What is GI perforation?
These two lab tests are important to both diagnose and monitor acute pancreatitis.
What are amylase and lipase?
This is the most common reason that an NG tube is inserted in a patient with an upper GI bleed.
What is to empty the stomach?
An anticipated abnormal finding in a patient with acute pancreatitis may be worsening pain associated with this activity.
What is eating?
This is the primary assessment finding that indicates a paracentesis for ascites was effective.
What is decreased shortness of breath/dyspnea?
In a patient with liver failure, this is the primary process that leads to both ascites and low blood pressure.
What is hypoalbuminemia?
These lab tests are particularly important to monitor in a patient diagnosed with esophageal varices.
What are PT/INR, PTT, and platelets?
During an NG insertion, these are signs that the procedure needs to be stopped.
What are coughing, SOB, tachypnea, decreased O2 saturation, etc…?
This change in vital signs is a strong indicator of a life threatening GI bleed and indicates emergency intervention is needed.
What is hypotension and tachycardia?
This is the nurse’s #1 priority to assess and intervene on first with any patient with GI alterations.
What is AIRWAY?
In a patient with liver failure, this is what can lead to an increased risk of upper GI bleeding.
What is portal hypertension?
This test can both diagnose and treat acute pancreatitis. Sometimes, unfortunately, it can also cause pancreatitis.
What is an ERCP
(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)?
This is the rationale for inserting an NG tube in a patient diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
What is to avoid stimulating the pancreas to release more enzymes and/or relieve nausea and vomiting?