Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Diverticulosis – Diverticulitis
Pathophysiology: Diverticulosis is pouches form along the intestinal wall. Diverticulitis involves small abscesses or infection in one or more diverticula or a perforation in the bowel. Overview Diverticulosis Outpouching of intestinal mucosa → pockets inside the colon Diverticulitis Inflammation of diverticula due to trapped bacteria Nursing Points General Severe inflammation can lead to perforation […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Pathophysiology: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) consists of open sores in the protective lining of the stomach and upper small intestine. Gastric ulcers occur on the inside of the stomach and duodenal ulcers occur on the inside of the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). Overview Break in mucosal lining of stomach, pylorus, duodenum, or […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Pancreatitis
Pathophysiology: Inflammation of the pancreas from a variety of causes. Overview Inflammation of the pancreas Autodigestion of pancreas results from long-term damage Nursing Points General Causes Alcohol abuse Gallbladder disease Obstruction of the ducts Hyperlipidemia PUD Types Acute – occurs suddenly with most patients recovering fully Chronic – usually due to long standing alcohol abuse […]
Hiatal Hernia
Overview Protrusion of stomach through the diaphragm into thorax Nursing Points General Caused by weakening of muscles in the diaphragm Diagnosis Barium swallow x-ray shows reflux into esophagus Endoscopy Assessment Heartburn Differentiate between heartburn and cardiac chest pain Regurgitation Dysphagia Hiccups & Belching Fullness Feel like food gets “stuck” Bowel sounds over chest Peristalsis Therapeutic […]
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Overview Backward movement of gastric contents into esophagus Nursing Points General Causes Relaxed or incompetent lower esophageal sphincter Pyloric stenosis Increased gastric volume Motility disorder Diagnosis pH test of regurgitation Esophagoscopy used to rule out malignancy Assessment Heartburn Exacerbated by bending over, straining, or recumbent position Differentiate between heartburn and cardiac chest pain Regurgitation Hypersalivation […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Pneumonia
Overview Inflammatory condition of the lungs Primarily affecting the alveoli May fill with fluid or pus Infectious vs Noninfectious Infectious Bacterial v. Viral Non-infectious Aspiration Pathophysiology: Pneumonia is an inflammatory response. This can be caused by an infection or things like aspiration where fluid gets into the lungs, which causes the alveoli to fill with […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Tuberculosis (TB)
Pathophysiology: TB is a bacterium known as M. tuberculosis that is transmitted through airborne droplets and embeds itself in the lung periphery and multiplies. The bacilli can travel through the lymphatic system and cause an immune response. Neutrophils and macrophages attempt to defend the body and prevent the spread. Overview Lung infection → pneumonitis and […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Influenza (Flu)
So we’re going to talk about Influenza, or the Flu. I guarantee you you’ve either had the flu or know someone who’s had it, right? This is a very common seasonal virus that affects millions of Americans and is actually getting more and more severe every year. Since you’re probably very familiar with it, we […]
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Overview Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Causes – anything causing inflammatory response in lungs Bacteremia, Sepsis Trauma, fat embolus Burns + Fluid Resuscitation Massive transfusion Pneumonia, Aspiration Drug overdose Near drowning Pathophysiology: There are 4 phases within acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS occurs rapidly and usually within 90 minutes of the body’s inflammatory response and […]
Restrictive Lung Diseases (Pulmonary Fibrosis, Neuromuscular Disorders)
Overview Obstructive – limits movement of airflow in and/or out of alveoli Restrictive – limits expansion of lung and therefore total lung capacity Nursing Points General Examples Intrinsic = from within (scarring or damage to lung tissue itself) Pulmonary Fibrosis Sarcoidosis Toxic exposure Extrinsic = from without (limit physical expansion of lungs within the thoracic […]