Gastro-esophageal reflux disease; a reflux of gastric contents into the

What is GERD?
esophagus which causes pain and discomfort .

By the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a higher pressure area

How is GERD normally prevented? and prevents reflux into the esophagus from the low pressure area of the
abdominal cavity.

decreased tone and pressure of the LES, increased intra-abdominal

What can cause GERD? pressure, increased gastric volume, acites, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, beta
and ca+ blockers, straining, etc.

gastric contents irritate esophagus tissues and causes a breakdown which

What problems does GERD
causes inflammation, erosions and ulcerations. The body tries to repair
cause?
itself by making Barrets type epithelium which is pre-cancerous tissue.

What are some s/sx of GERD? heart burn, substernal pain, regurgitation, sour taste, wheezing, dysphagia

avoid or limit foods and meds that cause problems, avoid alcohol and
What interventions can we do for
nicotine, do not eat 2 hrs before bedtime, limit fluids with meals, don't lay
GERD?
down after a meal, avoid restrictive clothing, HOB up, avoid heavy lifting.

Antacids, H2 receptors (pepcid, tagament, zantac, proton pump inhibitors

What meds can help with GERD?
(prevacid, prilosec, nexium)

weakness in the diaphragm and part of the stomach goes up to the thoracic
What is a hiatal hernia?
cavity.

What are two types of hiatal

Sliding hiatal hernia and rolling hiatal hernia.
hernias?

What is a sliding hiatal hernia and The LES and a portion of the fundus moves thru the diaphragm into the
what are the s/sx? thorax. S/sx: GERD like symptoms

Fundus of the the stomach and portion of the greater curvature of the
What is a rolling hiatal hernia and
stomach roll up into the thoracic cavity (LES stay in ab. cavity). S/sx:
what are the s/sx?
fullness after meal, breathlessness, chest pain, reflux rare.

What are some interventions for small frequent meals, avoid heavy lifting, HOB up, meds, surgery, ng tubes,
hiatel hernias? etc.

What is gastritis? inflammation of the gastric mucosa; mucosal barrier fails

Gastritis can damage chief and parietal cells that produce intrinsic factor
What is a complication of gastritis? which allows us to absorb vit. B-12 at puts you at risk for pernicious
anemia.

What is acute gastritis and what

short term problem caused by alcohol, drugs or food poisoning.
can cause it?

What is chronic gastritis and what long term problem which involves all layers of the stomach and is
problems can it cause? associated with gastric ulcers, cancers, etc.
What are some s/sx of gastritis? pain-usually relived by food, can't tolerate spicy/fatty foods, weight loss.

What are some interventions for H2 receptor antagonists, vit. B-12 replacement, dietary changes, decrease
gastritis? in caffeine and alcohol, stress management.

A ulcer in the GI tract caused by tissues coming into contact with gastric
What is peptic ulcer disease?
acid and usually occur on the lesser curvature of the stomach.

Most common ulcer and occur in the duodenum (small intestine) and are
What are duodenal ulcers?
related to H. pylori.

What are some s/sx of ulcers? burning pain relieved (duodenal) or worsened (gastric) by eating

What are some complications of

peroration, hemorrhage, pyloric obstruction
ulcers?

dietary changes, rest (physical and mental), ng tube, ns lavage, meds

What are some interventions for
(antacids, H2 receptor antagonist, prostoglandin analogs, mucosal barrier
ulcers?
fortifers, surgery

Irritable bowel syndrome: gastric mobility problems or intenstinal mobility

What is IBS?
problem.

several episodes of constipation, diarrhea, or combo of both, may have

What are some s/sx of IBS? pain which subsides after defecation which is not being caused by an
organic problem.

What interventions are there for no specific tx, anti-diarrheals or increased fiber help, manage stress or
IBS? avoid irritating foods.

intestine protrudes through a weakened area of the abdominal muscle

What is an abdominal hernia and
related to increased intra-abdominal pressure. types: reducable,
what are the different types?
irreducable or incarcerated, and strangulated.

What is a reducable and Reducable hernia the intestine can be returned (pushed back) to
irreducable hernia? abdominal cavity where a irreducable hernia cannot.

ischemia of the intestines results from decreased blood supply and can
What is a strangulated hernia?
lead to necrosis, bowel obstruction or perforated bowel.

What are some s/sx of abd. lump on abdomen (may need to reposition pt- have stand up or do valsalva
hernias and what causes them? maneuvers. Causes: heavy lifting, trauma, weakness of abd. muscles.

What are the interventions for abd.

truss or surgery, no heavy lifting, push hernia back in if reducable, etc.
hernias?