Gastrointestinal Assessment

Presented by Amanda Fay and Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

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Video Runtime: 3 minutes

A gastrointestinal, or GI, assessment is commonly conducted to understand the patient’s current status as it deviates from baseline or normal functioning. In this training, we’ll review the equipment and procedures for how to perform an assessment of the gastrointestinal anatomy through inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, and how to assess the gastrointestinal function. This course includes

- Video demonstrations of procedures
- Downloadable procedure guide PDFs
- Tips and best practices for performing these procedures in the home

The results of this assessment are then used to develop a comprehensive clinical picture with the primary care provider, to determine proper plans of care, and to implement interventions. When conducting a GI assessment, nursing staff, physical therapists, and physician assistants must consider the patient’s age, surgical interventions, medication use, and any trauma the patient has experienced.

This course was reviewed by Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, to ensure the content meets current professional guidelines and best evidence-based practices.

Meet your instructors

Amanda Fay

Amanda Fay is a clinical education and evidence-based practice educator, MSN, and RN with more than 21 years of nursing and education experience. She is an innovator with a passion for creating engaging, relevant programs that support individuals reaching their highest potential in both personal and professional domains. In…

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Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

The MedBridge Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board ensures the development and maintenance of up-to-date and evidence-based clinical procedures. The review board is composed of leading nurse experts in the field: Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, and Margherita Labson, RN, BSN, MSHSA. The review board is involved in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Introduction

This chapter includes an introduction to gastrointestinal assessment, information on all of the equipment needed for this assessment, and recommended infection control policies.

2. Procedure: Gastrointestinal Assessment

This chapter will provide a step-by-step procedure guide and video demonstration of a gastrointestinal assessment.

3. Subjective Assessment

This chapter includes a list of questions you can use for your subjective assessment.

4. Tips, Precautions, and Care Considerations

This chapter provides tips and considerations for performing these skills in the home.

5. Documentation Guidelines

This chapter provides recommendations on what to note when documenting for patients receiving GI care.

6. Conclusion

This chapter includes learning assessment questions to assess the learner’s knowledge of skills covered in this course. A bibliography of referenced material is also included.