Apply the nursing process for a client with a disorder of the gastrointestinal system.

Application should include

  • recognizing the clinical judgment model components
  • identifying of factors in the prevention of gastrointestinal system disorders
  • describing the steps in nursing assessment
  • nursing management in diagnostic tests
  • describing procedures with related equipment
  • using skills involved with related procedures
  • using nursing management of selected disorders
  • describing diagnoses and plan of care
  • identifying pharmacological management and dietary plan
  • providing educational guidelines.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • How can one explain the purpose and nursing management of diagnostic tests, such as
    • endoscopy
    • barium enema
    • ultrasonography
    • nuclear imaging
    • gastric analysis
    • paracentesis?
  • How would one demonstrate procedures related to nasogastric (NG) tubes, collection of specimens, auscultation of bowel sounds, testing for occult blood, and administration of enteral feedings?
  • What are the procedures related to ileostomy/colostomy care?
  • What are the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, nursing management, and treatment modalities of selected disorders, such as
    • obesity
    • malnutrition
    • periodontal disorders
    • hiatal hernia
    • esophageal varices
    • peptic ulcer disease
    • cirrhosis of the liver
    • inflammatory/infectious disorders (e.g., stomatitis, Crohn's disease, appendicitis, peritonitis, diverticulitis, and hepatitis A, B, C, and D)?
  • What nursing diagnoses are related to the client with disorders of the gastrointestinal system?
  • What are the pre- and post-operative nursing care of the client experiencing surgical procedures, such as
    • esophagectomy
    • colostomy
    • appendectomy
    • duodenostomy
    • pyloroplasty
    • ileostomy
    • hemorrhoidectomy
    • bariatric surgery?
  • What pharmacological agents are often associated with gastrointestinal system procedures? How would one integrate these agents into nursing management plans, including
    • antacids
    • laxatives
    • cathartics
    • stool softeners
    • digestants
    • antidiarrheal agents
    • emetics and antiemetics
    • anticholinergics?
  • How would one incorporate dietary principles, such as soft, high-fiber, low-residue, and bland diets, in the care of the client?
  • How would one implement a plan of care to meet the biological, psychological, social, and cultural needs of the client?
  • What educational guidelines would one provide for the client?