Medical-Surgical Nursing: Gastrointestinal System Overview

Introduction

• Presenter: Cathy from Level Up RN
• Purpose: Help prepare for nursing exams, NCLEX, and nursing practice with a focus on the gastrointestinal (GI) system.
• Materials: Follow along with Level Up RN Medical-Surgical Nursing Flashcards.
• Quizzes: Each video includes a quiz to reinforce learning.

Importance of Anatomy & Physiology Review

• Understanding normal body system functions aids in recognizing symptoms of dysfunction.

Gastrointestinal System Overview

• Primary Functions: Nutrient provision through digestion; waste elimination through defecation.
• Components:
  • Alimentary Canal: Oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal.
  • Accessory Organs: Salivary glands, liver, pancreas, gallbladder.
  • Peritoneum: Serous membrane that holds digestive organs in place.

Detailed Breakdown of the Alimentary Canal

Oral Cavity

• Components: Buccal mucosa, lips, tongue, hard and soft palate, teeth.
• Functions:
  • Mechanical Digestion: Grinding food via mastication.
  • Chemical Digestion: Carbohydrate digestion begins with salivary amylase enzyme.

Esophagus

• Muscular tube connecting pharynx to stomach.
• Sphincters:
  • Upper Esophageal Sphincter: Protects against food reflux into airways, prevents air entry.
  • Lower Esophageal Sphincter: Prevents gastric content reflux (related to GERD).

Stomach

• Sections: Fundus, body, pylorus.
• Functions:
  • Mechanical and chemical digestion.
  • Cells in Stomach: Secrete mucus, gastrin, and hydrochloric acid.
  • Chyme Formation: Food mixed with gastric secretions.

Small Intestine

• Primary Parts: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum (mnemonic: DJ Ilium).
• Functions:
  • Digestion and absorption.
  • Peristalsis: Moves food to large intestine.
  • Enzyme Activation: Inactivated pancreatic enzymes become activated; bile emulsifies fat.

Large Intestine

• Components: Cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anal canal.
• Functions:
  • Absorption: Water and electrolytes.
  • Defecation: Controlled by internal and external anal sphincters.

Quiz

1. What is the serous membrane holding digestive organs in place?
   • Answer: Peritoneum
2. Where does carbohydrate digestion first occur?
   • Answer: Oral cavity (via salivary amylase)
3. List components of the small intestine from proximal to distal.
   • Answer: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Like the video, leave comments, and good luck with studying!