Module: Lower GI

Module Objectives:  

This module will cover the following disorders: 

• Diarrhea

• Fecal Incontinence

• Constipation

• Peritonitis

• Intestinal Obstruction

• Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

• Hemorrhoids

Utilizing clinical reasoning and the nursing process, the student is expected to:

1. Describe the etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications, medical management, and nursing care of the above disorders. 

2. Recognize associated diagnostic tests and determine associated nursing care for the above disorders.

3. Identify relevant prioritized nursing diagnoses and an associated nursing plan of care to address physical, psychosocial, and learning needs.

4. Identify patient and family centered goals and outcomes that facilitate health promotion, maintenance, and restoration. 

5. Review how evidence-based practice is used to prioritize, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions to address the needs of diverse and vulnerable patients/families with social determinants of health that contribute to multiple body system problems. 

• Safe environment/Risk reduction

• Medication therapy

• Diet Therapy

• Surgical intervention

• Patient teaching; Discharge teaching; Referrals

• Therapeutic communication

• Delegation

• Others

6. Identify ways to collaborate with the interdisciplinary health care team when providing patient-centered care including during local or global health events.

7. Describe legal and ethical considerations including service excellence and nursing peer review. 

8. Identify complementary medicine options and quality improvement initiatives including civility and just culture.

Learning Activities: 

 1. Review module objectives.

 2. Learning Resources:  

Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., Hagler, D., and Reinisch, C. (2023). Lewis’s Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (12th edition). Elsevier Inc.

Chapter 43 Assessment of Gastrointestinal System, pp. 987-1008

Chapter 47 Lower Gastrointestinal Problems, 

pp. 1088-1097 Diarrhea, Fecal Incontinence, Constipation (Skip Acute Abdominal Pain and Laparotomy, Abdominal Trauma, Chronic Abdominal Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Appendicitis), 

pp. 1103-1104 Peritonitis (Skip Gastroenteritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease),

pp. 1111-1113  Bowel Obstruction (Skip Polyps of Large Intestines, Colorectal Cancer, Bowel Resection and Ostomy Surgery),

pp. 1123-1124 Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis (Skip Fistulas, Hernias, Malabsorption Syndromes, Celiac Disease, Lactase Deficiency, Short Bowel Syndrome, GI Stromal Tumors),

pp. 1129-1130 Hemorrhoids (Skip Anal Fissure, Anorectal Abscess, Anal Fistula, Anal Cancer, and Pilonidal Sinus)

 3. Complete Critical Thinking Exercises: 

     Lower GI Student Learning Guide

 4. Supplemental Learning:

     See Bb

 5. Review module objectives and check for knowledge gaps.

 6. Go to the Evolve website and review the module content and practice questions.