12 Focused Assessment- Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary
12 Focused Assessment- Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary
Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the learner will:
- Provide safety and privacy during gastrointestinal and genitourinary assessments.
- Identify the location of the organs contained in the abdominal cavity.
- Obtain health history relevant to the gastrointestinal and genitourinary assessments.
- Describe two methods (4 quadrants and 9 regions) of anatomic mapping used to describe findings related to the abdominal assessment.
- Perform gastrointestinal and genitourinary assessments using the correct exam order and techniques.
- Document findings of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems using correct medical terminology.
I. Overview of the gastrointestinal (GI) and Genitourinary (GU) Systems:
The gastrointestinal (GI) system is responsible for the ingestion of food, the absorption of nutrients, and eliminating waste as stool. The genitourinary (GU) system, also called the renal or urinary system is responsible for electrolytes and pH balance, blood volume and pressure, and eliminates waste as urine.
II. Anatomy and Physiology
Please use the following videos and other learning tools to review the Anatomy and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal system and Genitourinary systems. The first picture is of all organs within the gastrointestinal system. Use this picture to identify organs within each abdominal quadrant or within each region when utilizing the four quadrants and/or the 9 region methods to systematically exam the abdomen and/or document the findings.
Gastrointestinal System
There are (a) nine abdominal regions and (b) four abdominal quadrants in the peritoneal cavity
The video below demonstrates peristalsis in the large intestines.
The GI tract has three priority functions: digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. Digestion involves breaking down into its smallest parts so nutrients can be absorbed. There are two types of digestion. The first is mechanical and this process is completed in the mouth and stomach by chewing food into smaller pieces. Chemical digestion occurs later and chemicals are used to break down food molecules even more to even smaller molecules for easier absorption. Absorption occurs when nutrients pass through to the bloodstream or lymph system and is circulated throughout the body. Anything not digested and absorbed is moved to the anus for elimination.
The small intestine is the area in which most digestion occurs. There is the completion of proteins and carbohydrates digestion and lipids are solely digested in the small intestine. Most of the water from food is reabsorbed here. There are three sections called the duodenum, jejunum, and Ileum.
Please click on this link for further information about the small intestine: https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/23-5-the-small-and-large-intestines
The large intestine also called the Colon processes chyme, reabsorbs water, electrolytes, and vitamin