Malabsorption syndrome- easy ppt for student nurses

1. Malabsorption
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2. Malabsorption
• Malabsorption is the inability of the
digestive system to absorb one or
more of the major vitamins
(especially A and B12), minerals (ie,
iron and calcium), and nutrients (ie,
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins).
• Interruptions in the complex
digestive process may occur
anywhere in the digestive system
and cause decreased absorption.
Diseases of the small intestine are
the most common cause of
malabsorption.
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3. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
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4. Assessment
and
Diagnostic
Findings
• stool studies for quantitative and qualitative fat analysis,
• lactose tolerance tests,
• D-xylose absorption tests,and Schilling tests.
• The hydrogen breath test that is used to evaluate
carbohydrate absorption is performed if carbohydrate
malabsorption is suspected.
• Endoscopywith biopsy of the mucosais the best diagnostic
tool.
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5. • Biopsy of the small intestine is performed to assay enzyme activity or
to identify infection or destruction of mucosa.
• Ultrasound studies, CT scans, and x-ray findings can reveal pancreatic
or intestinal tumors that may be the cause.
• A complete blood cell count is used to detect anemia. Pancreatic
function tests can assist in the diagnosis of specific disorders.
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6. Medical Management
• Intervention is aimed at avoiding dietary substances that aggravate
malabsorption and at supplementing nutrients that have been lost.
• Common supplements are water-soluble vitamins (eg, B12, folic acid), fat-
soluble vitamins (ie, A, D, and K), and minerals (eg, calcium, iron).
• Primary disease states may be managed surgically or nonsurgically.
• Dietary therapy is aimed at reducing gluten intake in patients with celiac sprue.
Folic acid supplements are prescribed for patients with tropical sprue.
• Antibiotics (eg, tetracycline [Tetracyn], ampicillin [Polycillin]) are sometimes
needed in the treatment of tropical sprue and bacterial overgrowth syndromes.
• Antidiarrheal agents may be used to decrease intestinal spasms. Parenteral
fluids may be necessary to treat dehydration.
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7. Nursing
Management
• The nurse provides patient and family
education regarding diet and the use of
nutritional supplements .
• It is important to monitor patients with
diarrhea for fluid and electrolyte
imbalances.
• The nurse conducts ongoing assessments
to determine whether the clinical
manifestations related to the nutritional
deficits have abated.
• Patient education includes information
about the risk of osteoporosis related to
malabsorption of calcium.
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8. THANK YOU
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