Gastrointestinal System for Practical Nurses

The gastrointestinal system maintains a barrier, processes nutrients, regulates fluid movement, and eliminates waste. Disease can destabilize a patient through hemorrhage, vomiting or diarrhea, obstruction, inflammation, infection, perforation, or liver failure. Begin with the immediate threat: airway or aspiration, impaired perfusion, peritoneal irritation, or rapidly worsening fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional status. Nausea and abdominal pain occur in many disorders, so the pattern and associated findings matter more than either symptom alone. The LPN/LVN performs assigned care under the supervision and direction required by state law and facility policy. Recognize the danger, collect findings that distinguish likely causes, carry out ordered interventions, reassess the response, and escalate changes promptly.