Chapter 34

Assessment of Digestive and

Gastrointestinal Function

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Question
Is the following statement True or False?

Lipase is an enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein.

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Answer
False

Lipase is an enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats.

Trypsin is an enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Functions of the Digestive Tract
• Breakdown of food for digestion
• Absorption of nutrients produced by digestion into the
bloodstream
• Elimination of undigested foodstuffs and other waste
products

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Terms
• Digestion: phase of the digestive process that occurs
when enzymes mix with ingested food and when
proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their
component molecules.
• Absorption: phase of the digestive process that occurs
when small molecules, vitamins, and minerals pass
through the walls of the small and large intestine and
into the bloodstream.
• Elimination: phase of the digestive process that occurs
after digestion and absorption, when waste products are
eliminated from the body.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Question
What is ingestion?
A. Occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via the
mouth and esophagus.
B. Occurs when enzymes mix with ingested food and when
proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their
component molecules.
C. Occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and minerals
pass through the walls of the small and large intestine
and into the bloodstream.
D. Occurs after digestion and absorption, when waste
products are eliminated from the body.
Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Answer
A

Ingestion occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via

mouth and esophagus. Digestion occurs when enzymes
mix with ingested food and when proteins, fats, and
sugars are broken down into their component molecules.
Absorption occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and
minerals pass through the walls of the small and large
intestine and into the bloodstream. Elimination occurs
after digestion and absorption, when waste products are
eliminated from the body.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Organs of the Digestive System

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Major Enzymes and Secretions
• Mouth: saliva, salivary amylase
• Stomach: hydrochloric acid, pepsin, intrinsic factor
• Small intestine: amylase, lipase, trypsin, bile

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Assessment- History
• Include all information related to GI function
– Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, gas, nausea and
vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fecal continence,
change in bowel patterns, characteristics of stool,
jaundice, history of GI surgery or problems, appetite
and eating patterns, teeth, and nutritional
assessment including weight patterns
• Psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural factors
• Assess knowledge; need for patient education

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Common Sites of Referred Abdominal Pain

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Quadrants of the Abdomen

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Patient undergoing gastroscopy

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Question
Which is the correct order to complete an abdominal
assessment?
A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B. Auscultation, inspection palpation, percussion
C. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer
A

The correct order for an abdominal assessment is

inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Diagnostic Tests
• Stool specimens
• Breath tests
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Imaging studies: CT, PET, MRI
• Upper GI tract study
• Lower GI tract study
• GI motility studies
• Endoscopic procedures
• Other

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Colonoscopy

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Question
Is the following statement True or False?

When a colonoscopy is done, the flexible scope is passed

through the rectum and sigmoid colon into the
descending, transverse, and ascending colon.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer
True

When a colonoscopy is done, the flexible scope is passed

through the rectum and sigmoid colon into the
descending, transverse, and ascending colon.

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins