GI bleed, bowel obstruction, and liver disease nursing assessment priorities and interventions.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the hallmark symptom of an upper GI bleed involving vomited blood?
- Hematemesis
- What does melena look like?
- Black, tarry, foul-smelling stool
- What term describes bright red blood passed rectally?
- Hematochezia
- In a patient with active GI bleeding, what is the nurse's first priority?
- Assess airway, breathing, circulation, and hemodynamic status
- Which two vital sign changes suggest hypovolemic shock in a GI bleed patient?
- Tachycardia and hypotension
- How should a vomiting patient with an active GI bleed be positioned?
- On their side (lateral position) to prevent aspiration
- What type of IV access should be established for a patient with active GI bleeding?
- Two large-bore IV catheters
- Which lab values does the nurse trend to monitor ongoing blood loss in a GI bleed?
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit
- Why is BUN often elevated in an upper GI bleed?
- Digested blood protein in the GI tract is broken down and absorbed as urea
- What is the most common cause of upper GI bleeding?
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Which class of medications should be avoided in patients with a history of GI bleeding?
- NSAIDs
- What diagnostic procedure is used to visualize and identify the source of an upper GI bleed?
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- What should the nurse ensure before a scheduled endoscopy?
- The patient is NPO (nothing by mouth)
- Bleeding esophageal varices are most often associated with which underlying condition?
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Esophageal varices are dilated veins in the esophagus caused by ____ and can rupture, causing life-threatening hemorrhage.
- portal hypertension