CHAPTER 7 Gastrointestinal System^307
- Epigastric area discomfort
- Epigastric tenderness on palpation due to gastric irritation
- Bleeding from irritation of the gastric mucosa
- Hematemesis—possible coffee ground emesis due to partial digestion of blood
- Melena—black, tarry stool
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit decrease.
- Anemia (iron deficiency) due to chronic, slow blood loss.
- Fecal occult blood positive.
- Helicobacter pylorimay be positive.
- Upper endoscopy shows inflammation, allows biopsy.
TREATMENT
- Administer antacids:
- Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Gaviscon
- Administer sucralfate to protect gastric lining.
- Administer histamine 2 blockers:
- ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine, cimetidine
- Administer proton pump inhibitors:
- omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole
- EradicateHelicobacter pyloriinfection if present.
- Diet modification.
- Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Risk for imbalanced nutrition: less than what body requires
- Risk for imbalanced fluid volume
- Nausea