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

Introduction

This module will cover the introduction to gastrointestinal disorders, the diagnostic tests that may be ordered and the nursing care related to the diagnostic tests. Care for the patient with a GI disorder from pre to post-surgical care. The various types of ostomies, appliances, and their care will also be discussed in this module. In addition, common pediatric GI disorders will be described, including cleft lip, diarrhea, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, intussusception and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Objectives

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

Explain the purpose, client preparation, and nursing responsibilities for diagnostic tests related to the gastrointestinal system.
Outline the preoperative and postoperative nursing care for the client undergoing abdominal surgery.
Discuss nursing care of the ostomy client to include skin care, application of appliances, diet, and community agencies.
Describe the various pediatric GI disorders, their causes, symptoms, treatments and nursing care.

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, Chapters 44 & 48
Christensen & Kockrow, (2011), Foundations of Nursing, 6th edition, Pages: 328-333, 583-600 & 1015-1025.

Additional Resources

Preparing for an Upper GI Endoscopy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vItktDQo-mE&feature=youtu.be)
PreOp® Patient Education Minimal: GI Endoscopy Upper GI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLZBLtHy4nc&feature=youtu.be)
Preparing for a Colonoscopy - from the American Gastroenterological Association (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrw8geYQSQg&feature=youtu.be)
Southern Nursing Skills - Ostomy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz-eMQVKxac&feature=youtu.be)