Download The Digestive System

Study Guide
Nursing Assessment 126
The Digestive System (126.4)
This Study Guide contains:
Brief Description, Objectives, Discussion Questions, Pre-view and Post-view Tests,
Answer Keys and Glossary for this program. Institutions that have purchased the program
from Educational Media Distributors have permission to duplicate any of the contents of this
Study Guide for teaching purposes.
The Digestive System
Program Description
The focus of this program is assessment related to the process of digestion and the function of
the various structures forming the alimentary tract. It includes animated graphics of the
digestive process and the function of both the anatomical structures and the digestive juices and
enzymes. The focus of the subjective assessment addresses concerns related to both digestion
and elimination, including the effects of aging on alimentary functions and symptoms of
intolerance to specific foods such as gluten or lactose. The objective assessment includes
demonstrations of observation, palpation and auscultation related to the digestive system.
Digestive disorders discussed include GERD, hernia, appendicitis, and Crohn’s Disease.
Learning Objectives
After viewing the program, the learner will be able to do the following:
1. Describe the structures and function of the digestive organs.
2. Differentiate between digestion and absorption.
3. Discuss factors which are causing increases in gastrointestinal complaints.
4. Demonstrate abdominal auscultation.
5. Demonstrate abdominal palpation.
6. Outline the proper action if a pulsating abdominal mass is found.
7. List at least five gastrointestinal disorders.
8. Name the four tests currently used to detect colorectal polyps and cancer.
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The Digestive System
Pre-Viewing Questions
True or False
1. Pepsin and rennin are digestive enzymes.
2. Chyme is another name for stomach acid.
3. Most absorption of nutrition from food occurs in the small intestine.
4. Tarry stools indicate slow bleeding in the upper digestive tract.
5. It is adequate to ask a patient to state their current weight.
6. Ascites is an indicator of liver disease.
7. Scaphoid is another word for convex shape.
8. Stretch marks are called striae.
9. Bowel sounds are usually audible over the left lower quadrant at the ileocecal valve.
10. Rebound tenderness is commonly associated with appendicitis.
11. Irritable bowel syndrome is another name for Crohn’s disease.
12. The use of proton pump inhibitors can directly affect the absorption of other medications.
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The Digestive System
Pre-Viewing Questions
Answer Sheet
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1.
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F
2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
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6.
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7.
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8.
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9.
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10.
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11.
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12.
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The Digestive System
Pre-Viewing Questions
Answer Key
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1.
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2.
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3.
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5.
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6.
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9.
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10.
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11.
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12.
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The Digestive System
Discussion Questions
1. How does digestion differ from absorption?
2. What things would indicate to you that your patient has an eating disorder and how would you
approach the subject?
3. What action would you take if you encountered a pulsating mass during your assessment?
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The Digestive System
Post-Viewing Questions
For questions 1-5, choose the appropriate match from the column on the right.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pepsin
Chyme
Rugae
Villi
Colon
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
folds of the stomach lining
large intestine
digestive enzyme
liquefied food
finger-like projections
6. Older patients are more likely to complain of gastrointestinal disorders because:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
they are obsessed by worries over their digestion and elimination
older people complain more in general
the gastrointestinal system slows as part of aging
blockages are very common in this age group
None of the above
For questions 7-11, choose the appropriate match from the column on the right.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Scaphoid
Ascites
Aortic aneurysm
Striae
Peristalsis
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
pulsating mass
stretch marks
concave
intestinal contractions
fluid in abdomen
12. All of the following are true regarding abdominal auscultation except:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
use the bell of the stethoscope
perform prior to palpation
begin over the ileocecal valve
listen until bowel sounds are heard or at least 5 minutes
bruits may be heard
13. The abdomen is best palpated using a _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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counter clockwise rotary pattern
clockwise rotary pattern
pattern of right to left straight rows
pattern of top to bottom straight rows
Any pattern as long as no areas of missed
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The Digestive System
Post-Viewing Questions continued
14. Document abdominal masses by:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the quadrant in which they are located
their consistency
presence of tenderness
All of the above
None of the above
For questions 15-19, choose the appropriate match from the column on the right.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
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Appendicitis
Hernia
Crohn’s disease
GERD
Proton pump
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
intestinal protrusion
reflux disorder
rebound tenderness
inflammatory disorder
stomach acid
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The Digestive System
Post-Viewing Questions
Answer Sheet
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The Digestive System
Post-Viewing Questions
Answer Key
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The Digestive System
Glossary of Terms
Abdominal quadrants: Four areas of the abdomen defined by dividing the abdomen midline both
horizontally and vertically, resulting in right and left upper and right and left lower quadrants.
Anorexia: Loss of appetite.
Appendix: An outgrowth within the body. The vermiform appendix is attached to the cecum of
the intestine.
Anus: The muscular opening at the lower end of the rectum.
Ascites: Fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity often associated the severe liver disease.
Autoimmune: Inappropriate immune response that results in the body attacking itself.
Bowel sounds: Sounds produced by bowel function. These are audible with a stethoscope and
may also be audible without one.
Bulimia: Eating disorder characterized by compulsive overeating followed by purging, either
through induced vomiting or excessive use of laxatives, or both.
Chyme: Liquefied food in the stomach. Chyme is formed in the early stages of digestion.
Crohn’s disease: Regional severe inflammatory bowel disease. Exact cause is unknown, although
it does run in families and may also be an autoimmune disorder. Currently no known cure, but
symptom relief may be achieved with varying degrees of success.
Digestion: The breakdown of ingested food; usable components are absorbed and the balance
eliminated via the intestine.
Digestive enzymes: Substances in the body capable of catalyzing the breakdown of food
molecules into smaller molecules as part of the digestive process.
Diverticuli: Abnormal blind pouches arising from the interior intestinal wall. They may become
irritated, inflamed, or cancerous.
Esophagus: The muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach.
Feces: Bodily waste excreted from the intestines via the anus.
Gallbladder: Membranous muscular sac for storing bile secreted by the liver and used in
digestion of fats.
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The Digestive System
Glossary of Terms continued
Gastrointestinal: Internal digestive pathway consisting of the esophagus, stomach, and small and
large intestines.
GERD: Gastric esophageal reflux disorder; the upward movement of stomach acids and contents
into the esophagus. It is commonly called heart burn.
Hemorrhoids: Varicose veins occurring at the anus and in the rectum.
Hernia: The protrusion of an organ or part, such as the intestine through a weak place on the
abdominal wall, or another organ through either connective tissue or a wall of the cavity in which it
is normally enclosed.
Ileocecal valve: The valve located at the opening of the ileum into the large intestine.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A chronic disorder of the colon often characterized by diarrhea
or constipation or diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and the
presences of mucus in the stool. It is sometimes called irritable or spastic colon.
Large intestine: Lower portion of the intestine consisting of the cecum, colon and rectum. It is
primarily responsible for water reabsorption.
Peristalsis: Repeated involuntary waves of muscular movement that serve to move ingested
matter through the intestines during digestion.
Proton pump inhibitor: A group of medications that reduce the secretion of stomach acids.
Rebound tenderness: Pain felt on removal of pressure, as opposed to pain felt as pressure is
applied. It is a common symptom of appendicitis.
Rectum: The portion of the large intestine between the cecum and anus; the final segment of the
intestine.
Rectus muscles: The parallel bands of muscle over the central abdomen, commonly referred to as
“the six pack.” Proper name: rectus abdominis.
Ruga: Gastric or intestinal fold or wrinkle; the stomach is lined with rugae.
Small intestine: That portion of the intestine lying between the stomach and the colon. It includes
the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and is primarily responsible for absorbing nutrients.
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The Digestive System
Glossary of Terms continued
Striae: Stripes in the skin coloration caused by stretching. Common during pregnancy and also
seen in obesity.
Ulcer: Injury to the tissues involving the loss of surface tissue and potential loss of underlying
tissues. Pressure injuries are a common cause of surface ulcers.
Umbilicus: The scar on the abdomen marking the attachment point of the umbilical cord on the
fetus.
Villi: Tiny finger or worm-like projections of tissue on the lining of the intestine that serve to
increase the surface area of the intestinal lining thereby increasing the absorption of nutrients.
Xiphoid process: Lower tip of the sternum.
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