a. When obtaining the nursing history of a gastrointestinal patient, a detailed interview should be conducted.<\/p>\n
Nursing personnel should question the patient about his dietary habits, his bowel habits, and his GI complaints (signs and symptoms).<\/p>\n
b. Obtaining a history of dietary habits will provide valuable information. Question the patient about the following:<\/p>\n
(1) The number of meals ate per day.<\/p>\n
(2) Meal times.<\/p>\n
(3) Food restrictions or special diets followed.<\/p>\n
(4) Changes in appetite. Increased? Decreased? No appetite?<\/p>\n
(5) What foods, if any, have been eliminated from the diet? Why?<\/p>\n
(6) What foods are not well tolerated?<\/p>\n
(7) Alterations in taste.<\/p>\n
(8) Medications used. Dosage and frequency.<\/p>\n
c. Information about bowel patterns, especially a change in bowel patterns, can provide clues that will aid in the diagnosis of the problem. Question the patient about the following:<\/p>\n
(1) Frequency of bowel movements.<\/p>\n
(2) Use of laxatives and\/or enemas.<\/p>\n
(3) Changes in bowel habits.<\/p>\n
(4) Stool Description.<\/p>\n
(a) Constipation.<\/p>\n
(b) Diarrhea.<\/p>\n
(c) Blood in stool.<\/p>\n
(d) Mucous in stool.<\/p>\n
(e) Black, tarry stools.<\/p>\n
(f) Pale or clay colored stools.<\/p>\n
(g) Foul smelling stools.<\/p>\n
(h) Pain with stool.<\/p>\n
d. Ask the patient to describe any complaints not yet discussed in the interview. For example.<\/p>\n
(1) Nausea. Frequency? Duration? Associated with meals? Relieved by?<\/p>\n
(2) Vomiting. Frequency? Character of emesis? Relieved by?<\/p>\n
(3) Heartburn\/indigestion. Frequency? Duration? Associated with specific foods? Relieved by?<\/p>\n
(4) Gas (belching and flatus). Frequency? Associated with specific foods? Relieved by?<\/p>\n
(5) Pain. Location? Frequency? Duration? Character of the pain?<\/p>\n
(6) Weight loss. How much? In what time period?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
a. When obtaining the nursing history of a gastrointestinal patient, a detailed interview should be conducted. Nursing personnel should question the patient about his dietary habits, his bowel habits, and his GI complaints (signs and symptoms). b. Obtaining a history of dietary habits will provide valuable information. Question the patient about the following: (1) The … Continue reading 1-14. THE NURSING HISTORY<\/span>