Gastrointestinal Nursing

Many nurses work as specialist practitioners within several areas of gastrointestinal medicine, including inflammatory bowel disease, stoma care, nutrition, endoscopy and counselling. There has been a steady increase in nurse-led services and gastrointestinal nursing is an expanding area. This comprehensive text lays the foundation by reviewing the anatomy and physiology underlying common conditions before covering the pathophysiology of clinical features, causes, investigation and management. Underlying this approach will be the specific nursing aspects of caring for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, covering psychosocial factors and issues such as the measurement of health related quality of life.

Foreword vii

1 Introduction 1

Section 1 Structure, Function and Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract 11

2 An Overview of the Gastrointestinal Tract 13

3 The Oesophagus 24

4 The Stomach 38

5 The Small Intestine 58

6 The Large Intestine 75

7 The Liver 106

8 The Biliary System 115

9 The Pancreas 124

Section 2 Essential Aspects of Gastroenterology 135

10 Diagnostic Procedures and Tests in Gastroenterology 137

11 Gastrointestinal Emergencies 151

12 Pharmacology in Gastroenterology 158

Section 3 Living with Gastrointestinal Disorders 165

13 The Role of Psychosocial Factors in Gastroenterology 167

14 Quality of Life in Gastroenterology 179

Glossary 189

Useful Addresses 193

Appendix 196

Index 205

'A useful background read for student nurses or general nurses entering gastroenterology'

Gastrointestinal Nursing

Graeme Smith is the author of Gastrointestinal Nursing, published by Wiley.

Roger Watson is the author of Gastrointestinal Nursing, published by Wiley. Gastrointestinal nursing is an expanding specialty with a steady increase in both nurse-led services and in specialist nurse practitioners e.g. in inflammatory bowel disease, stoma care, nutrition, endoscopy and counselling.

This comprehensive text lays the foundations for care by reviewing the anatomy and physiology underlying common conditions before covering their clinical features, causes, investigation and management. Underlying this approach are the specific nursing aspects of caring for patients with gastrointestinal conditions including psychosocial factors and issues such as the measurement of health related quality of life.