Title: Caring For Clients With Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders
Course: PRN 0092 Practical Nursing II > Section: Nursing Care of Clients with Digestive Disorders

Introduction

This module will discuss disorders of the lower GI system. Various lower GI disorders that are inflammatory, acute and/or chronic will be described as well as their symptoms, treatments, medications and nursing care for those disorders. These will include inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis and rectal disorders. Lower GI cancers will also be explained.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

Discuss inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and describe Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis to include pathophysiology, symptoms, treatment interventions, and nursing care.
Explain the symptoms, treatment, and nursing interventions for the client with acute inflammatory conditions such as; appendicitis, peritonitis and intestinal obstructions.
Distinguish between diverticulosis and diverticulitis and describe symptoms and treatments for each.
Discuss the medications available to treat lower GI disorders.
Discuss nursing care for patients with abdominal hernias, hemorrhoids or anal disorders.
Describe the etiology, symptoms, and interventions for colon and rectal cancers.

Standards

This Module maps to the following Standards:

38.01 Identify signs and symptoms of disease/disorders of the body systems.
38.02 Identify diagnostic tests used in the treatment of diseases/disorders of the body systems.
38.03 Identify medications used in the treatment of diseases/disorders of the body systems.
38.04 Identify nutritional needs of patients with diseases/disorders of the body systems.
38.13 Care of the patient with endocrine disease/disorder.
41.01 Adapt nursing care for the pediatric patient.
41.05 Identify signs and symptoms of common disorders/diseases.

Readings & Resources

Timby & Smith, (2010), Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th  edition, Chapter 46

Additional Resources

Laparoscopy Diagnostic PreOp® Patient Education (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_phPh_nvB8Y&feature=youtu.be)
Colon and Rectal Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal)