Most large bowel obstructions are caused by cancer.
Onset of cirrhosis is insidious with symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, malaise, altered bowel habits, nausea and vomiting.
Management of cirrhosis is directed towards avoiding complications. This is achieved by maintaining fluid, electrolyte and nutritional balance.
A client with esophageal varices must be monitored for bleeding (e.g., melena stools, hematemesis, and tachycardia.)
The rupture of esophageal varices is life threatening and associated with a high mortality rate.
Pancreatitis is often associated with excessive alcohol ingestion.
Pancreatic cancer is an insidious disease that often goes undetected until its later stages.
Diverticula are most common in the sigmoid colon.
Clients with diverticulosis are often asymptomatic.
A deficiency in dietary fiber is associated with diverticulitis.
Colostomies: an ascending colostomy drains liquid feces, is difficult to train and requires daily irrigation; a descending colostomy drains solid feces and can be controlled.
Frequent liquid stools can be indicative of a fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction.
Bowel sounds tend to be hyperactive in the early phases of an intestinal obstruction.
