Nor should it be used for patients with ischemic heart disease, congestive heart
failure, uncorrected electrolyte disorders (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia), and
renal or respiratory failure. An EKG should be done before and during therapy.
See the list inhibitor drugs listed are in the Appendix. Detailed tables show
doses, recommendations, expectations, side effects, contraindications, and more;
available on the book’s Web site (see URL in Appendix).Summary
The gastrointestinal (GI) system consists of the alimentary canal and the diges-
tive tract that begins with the oral cavity and extends to the anus. When the GI
system malfunctions or is invaded by a microorganism, the patient might expe-
rience vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal
reflux disease.
Vomiting (emesis) is the expulsion of gastric contents of the stomach through
the esophagus and out the oral cavity. It is caused by motion sickness, viral and
bacterial infections, food intolerance, surgery, pregnancy, pain, shock, and the
effects of selected drugs, radiation, and disturbances of the middle ear affecting
equilibrium. Antiemetic medication is administered to prevent or stop vomiting.
A patient can be induced to vomit to regurgitate ingested toxins by adminis-
tering an emetic. Activated charcoal should be administered if the patient ingested
caustic material.
Diarrhea is a frequent liquid stool that can be caused by foods, fecal impaction,
bacteria, a virus, or a number of other conditions. Diarrhea can be stopped by
administering anti-diarrhea medication and treating the underlying cause.
Constipation is the accumulation of hard fecal material in the large intestine.
Constipation can be relieved by administering laxatives to promote a soft stool
and cathartics to promote a soft-to-watery stool with some cramping.
A peptic ulcer is a sore or hole in the lining of the stomach or duodenum or a
lesion in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Most ulcers are caused by a
bacterial infection. Treatment of peptic ulcers is to give a two-drug, three-drug,
and four-drug regimen, or combination medication consisting of multiple drugs
combined into one package.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an inflammation of the esophageal
mucosa caused by reflux of stomach content into the esophagus. One of eight
groups of anti-ulcer drugs is used to treat GERD.(^344) CHAPTER 18 Gastrointestinal System