The Gastrointestinal System

Gastrointestinal system breaks food down mechanically and chemically

In the mouth where food is chewed and mixed with the substance called saliva.

Saliva moistens the food and helps in swallowing; it contains an enzyme (protein) that helps digest starches

• The function of the duodenum is digestion. It begins in the small intestine where absorption begins and ends in
• the pancreas, which finishes the job of breaking down food into usable parts

Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder

Pancreas finishes the job of breaking the food down into usable parts

Rhythmic contraction of the muscle wall of the small and large intestines

Each villus is capable of absorbing the end products of digestion

What is left of the food movesthrough the large intestine, where water is reabsorbed into the body

Responsible for manufacturing bile and is a storage area for glucose; the liver also is the place where toxins, or poisons, are removed from the blood

A form of sugar

• changes in the GI system causes digestion to be less efficient
• flow of saliva decreases, as does the taste buds
• older person may experience difficulty chewing and swallowing
• weakened gag reflex means an increased risk of choking
• reduced digestive juices make food more difficult to digest
• the absorption of vitamins and minerals also reduces

• Notify RN if tape becomes loose
• Keep tube clean free from mucous deposit
• Observe for pressure damage

When a nasogastric tube is used to drain substances from the sotmach or to collect a specimen, the patient is given nothing by mouth (NPO)

an opening made through the abdomen to the stomach for the purpose of feeding

Be sure to clean the tube site each day and to check the fit of the tube

• cleanse around the gastrostomy site with mild soap and water; pat dry
• give tube a twist to ensure that the tube is not too tight against the abdominal wall
• if the tube does not twist easily, loosen the tube retainer device so that there is 1/8-inch distance between the skin and the retainer disc or triangle
• once the gastrostomy site has healed (usually 2-3 weeks after surgery) NO DRESSINGS are needed at the site
• watch for any signs of irritation or leakage at the gastostomy site and report these immediately to a supervisor
• when a patient puts tension on a G-tube, the tube should be stabilized with a mesh netting or wrap to prevent dislocation of the tube or tissue breakdown

Although nasogastric feeding is customarily started by a RN or LPN, the NA is responsible for watching the level of the feeding and making sure the formula is being fed slowly into the patient's stomach

abnormally frequent discharge of fluid fecal material from the bowel

frequent skin care (every 1 to 2 hours) to prevent the skin around the anus and buttocks from becoming sore and irritated

protective ointments such as A&D ointment can help to prevent breakdown

a dietary remedy for diarrhea. BRAT- banana, rice, applesauce, and tea

diarrhea is always unhealthy and may result in severe illness and dehydration. alway report diarrhea immediately to your supervisor

difficult, infrequent defecation with passage of unduly hard and dry fecal material

to help patient avoid constipation it is important to be sure that the patient takes enough fluids every day

the most common cause of constipation is lack of adequate fluid intake, so it is important to see that the patient gets enough fluids each day. In addition, bulk-forming foods and physical activity help combat constipation

CNA does not do enemas, suppositories or fecal disimpaction in Hawaii

surgical procedure (operation) in which a new opening, called a stoma, is created in the abdomen, usually for the discharge of wastes (urine or feces) from the body

an ostomy is a surgical procedure that provides the patient with an artificial opening connecting a body passage with outside, such as in a tracheotomy or colostomyt. An ostomy may be temprary or permanent

it is easier to empty the ostomy pouch when it is about 1/3 filled. Hot water destroys the pouch's odor prooding