Gastro-intesinal assessment DR---NOHA ELSAYED

Gastro-intesinal assessment Inspection(DCAP-BTLS) Auscultation(not included) Palpation Percussion

 Abdomen can be divided in four quadrants Patient should be lying on supine position INSPECTION

 Inspect oral mucosa For example: 1.Lips & mucous membranes should be moist & without lesions (If dry …. Indicates dehydration) 2.Large abdomen …. Indicates Ascitis (Abdominal veins may be seen) 3.Bruising …. Indicates trauma or bleeding in the abdominal cavity 4.Abdominal girth …. Used to document enlarging of organs or swelling from internal bleeding 5. Stools should be assessed for color, consistency & a foul odour Dark melena stools (Upper GIT bleeding) Bright red blood (Lower GIT bleeding)

D  Deformities & Discolorations D C  Contusions C A  Abrasions A P  Penetrations & Punctures P B  Burns B T  Tenderness T L  Lacerations L S  Swelling & Symmetry S DCAP-BTLS +Visible peristalsis

Distension Localised: mass,organomegaly Generalized: ascitis, weight gain or pregnancy.

Palpate the abdomen  Begin farthest away from the pain.  First superficial (for tenderness or rebound tenderness) rebound tenderness means pain as pressure of palpation removed ……..suggest peritoneal inflammation and then  deep palpation(for organs) liver(palpate for nodules=malignancy) Spleen not palpable Kidney also not palpable only if there is a history of polycystic kidney

 Assess for discomfort, rigidity, and masses.  If a pelvic fracture is suspected.the pelvis should not be assessed for stability ………….that any hematoma that has formed to maintain homeostasis may be disrupted causing internal hemorrhage.  Murphy ’ s sign severe right upper quadrant pain on deep palpation exacerbated by deep inspiration this is associated with cholecysitis

Abdominal Palpation Palpate lightly in all 4 quadrants. Press down around 1 cm. Remember to look at the patient’s face during palpation to see if any tenderness is elicited

Percuss the abdomen  The abdomen should sound tympanic.  The upper left and upper right quadrants will sound duller.

Genito-urinal assessment:  Assessment of genitalia includes: Mammary, Testicular, Prostate glands Limited to patients with specific needs, such as: Those with spinal cord injuries or trauma  Proper kidney function is vital because kidney excretes the majority of toxins from human body The best indicator for kidney function …. Serum Creatinine (Normal: 0.6 – 1.2 mg/dl)

The more nephrons that have been destroyed, the higher the creatinine level Take care:  Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is more indicator for hydration than for renal function (Normal: 8 – 23 mg/dl)  BUN/Creatinine ratio is the best method to determine whether the patient has any type of renal failure (Normal: 10:1 to 20:1) 75% of nephrons can be destroyed before signs & symptoms of renal failure occur

Renal failure (RF) leads to Monitored by: Arterial blood gases, Urine output Causes of RF: Burn, Crush, Injuries Release of large protein molecules from damaged tissue destroys the nephrons End stage renal disease …. Requires Peritoneal dialysis (PD) or Hemodialysis (HD) Metabolic acidosis Congestive heart failure Electrolytes imbalance Anemia

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)Hemodialysis (HD)  Catheter is placed in the peritoneum that serves as the filter to remove wastes from the peritoneal cavity using dialyzing solution  Will have arterio-venous (AV)shunt placed in the arm that is attached to machine acts as a mechanical kidney to remove wastes from the body.  This AV site should be assessed for a thrill (Palpate) & a bruit (Audible) which indicates patent & normally functioning shunt …. Absence of one or both of those indicates clotting of the shunt

CCTP main concern is maintaining stability of joints by splints or soft and hard casts and assessing for neurovascular compromise of distal extremities. Assessment should be completed bilaterally and also assessment of distal skin color,nail bed colour,skin temperature,mobility of distal joints,pulses and pain sensation Muscloskeletal assessment

Psychological & Emotional assessm ent If a patient is hospitalized for more than 24 hours …. Complete psychological, emotional assessment should be transferred with the patient as it may be helpful to the staff at the receiving facility. Previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders & Level of anxiety the patient is experiencing must be known. Psychiatric disorders may be unsafe requiring physical & chemical restraint during transportation or administration of anxiolytics or benzodiazepines

 Communication should be with the transferring hospital which is responsible for care of the patients until the arrival.  Changes, Orders & Response of patient should be called immediately to the staff at receiving hospital … To become aware of events occurring enroute so they are prepared to receive the patient. Communication, Documentation

Documentation of assessment findings to provide continuity of care & patient safety & to protect themselves in case of legal issues.