Gastrointestinal Disorders
Pathophysiology
Epithelial cells undergo mutation related to chronic irritation or exposure to carcinogens.
Cells that are damaged must be replaced. The chance of a mutation occurring is proportional to the rate of new cell growth.
Implicated causes are chronic or autoimmune gastritis; exposure to lead dust, grain dust, glycol ethers, or leaded gasoline; or a diet high in smoked fish or meats.
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
Indigestion that responds to antacids.
Anorexia and weight loss, nausea and vomiting,
gastric distention.
Complete blood count (CBC) reveals anemia.
Stool is positive for occult blood.
Barium swallow with x-ray, gastric fluid analysis for cytology, serum gastrin levels.
Positive diagnosis is made by gastroscopy and biopsy.
Complications
Nutritional deficit.
Metastasis.
Bleeding, perforation, and peritonitis.
Death.
Medical Care and Surgical Treatment
Subtotal or total gastrectomy.
Dumping syndrome related to subtotal or total gastrectomy.
Chemotherapy and radiation, biological therapies.
Keep in Mind
Manage stress.
Pain medication should be taken before the pain is severe.
Teach pre- and postoperative therapies (nasogastric [NG] tube will be in place after gastrectomy).
Teach the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation and how to mitigate them.
Pathophysiology
Epithelial cells undergo mutation related to chronic irritation or exposure to carcinogens.
Cells that are damaged must be replaced. The chance of a mutation occurring is proportional to the rate of new cell growth.
Implicated causes are chronic or autoimmune gastritis; exposure to lead dust, grain dust, glycol ethers, or leaded gasoline; or a diet high in smoked fish or meats.
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
Indigestion that responds to antacids.
Anorexia and weight loss, nausea and vomiting,
gastric distention.
Complete blood count (CBC) reveals anemia.
Stool is positive for occult blood.
Barium swallow with x-ray, gastric fluid analysis for cytology, serum gastrin levels.
Positive diagnosis is made by gastroscopy and biopsy.
Complications
Nutritional deficit.
Metastasis.
Bleeding, perforation, and peritonitis.
Death.
Medical Care and Surgical Treatment
Subtotal or total gastrectomy.
Dumping syndrome related to subtotal or total gastrectomy.
Chemotherapy and radiation, biological therapies.
Keep in Mind
Manage stress.
Pain medication should be taken before the pain is severe.
Teach pre- and postoperative therapies (nasogastric [NG] tube will be in place after gastrectomy).
Teach the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation and how to mitigate them.