What This Document Is
This document is a first exam preparation resource for Drexel University’s NURS 321: Health and Illness Concepts II, specifically covering the gastrointestinal system, nutrition, and elimination. It’s designed to help students review key concepts and prepare for an assessment of their understanding.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is essential for nursing students enrolled in Med-Surg II. It consolidates critical information needed to succeed on the first exam, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients with gastrointestinal and nutritional concerns. It’s most useful during exam review and as a quick reference for core concepts.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a *preview* of exam content. It does not provide in-depth explanations of complex physiological processes, detailed treatment plans, or clinical case studies. It’s a review tool, not a substitute for comprehensive coursework or clinical experience. It will not teach you the material, but rather highlight what you should already know.
What This Document Provides
This study guide includes:
* Key areas of focus for the gastrointestinal system assessment, including autonomic innervation and age-related changes.
* Guidance on conducting a comprehensive health history related to GI function and nutrition.
* An overview of the physical assessment of the mouth, abdomen, rectum, and anus, including abdominal quadrant mapping.
* Important laboratory values (CBC, BMP, BUN, Creatinine, K, Glucose) relevant to GI and nutritional assessment.
* Fundamentals of balanced nutrition, including the MyPlate approach and dietary considerations for vegetarians.
* Information on identifying and assessing malnutrition, including BMI calculations and the MUST screening tool.
* An overview of obesity, its associated health risks, and the concept of metabolic syndrome.
This preview *does not* include practice questions, detailed case studies, or comprehensive explanations of all potential nursing interventions. It also does not cover all possible lab findings or nutritional deficiencies.