The document presents a concept map on ulcerative colitis (UC), detailing its pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and nursing considerations. It highlights that UC may affect different parts of the colon and provides insights into medication options ranging from anti-inflammatories to immunosuppressants. The paper is aimed at nursing students and resembles a structured approach to understanding and managing UC in clinical settings.

1. Running head: ULCERATIVE COLITIS CONCEPT
MAP 1
Ulcerative Colitis Concept Map
Student
Rasmussen College
Author Note
This paper is being submitted on September 5, 2013, for Ms.
Carole Guye’s NUR2034C
Fundamentals of Professional Nursing.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS CONCEPT MAP 2
ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC)

2. PATIENT TEACHING
episodes, remissions and symptom mgmt.
g
-management at home (Winkelman, 2013)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
may remain localized to the rectum (ulcerative
proctitis) or extend higher, sometimes involving the
entire colon. There is a sharp border between normal
and affected tissue.
bleeding, pus, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.
o not occur
extends through the intestinal wall, resulting in
localized ileus and peritonitis. (Ulcerative Colitis, 2014 )
CAUSES
products but may trigger symptoms (Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
immune system, and environmental causes
Colitis, 2014)

3. NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
comfort (Winkelman, 2013)
TREATMENTS & MEDICATIONS
Treatments - No medical cure
1) Induce / maintain remission,
2) Improve quality of life, and
3) Individualize to treat patient
Diet & Nutrition
(What is Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
Surgery
ileostomy - colon, rectum & anus removed
- colon removal
Anal Anastomosis (RPC-IPAA) - create ileoanal
reservoir
Medications
oute

4. - Enema
- Rectal Foam
- Suppository
- PO
- IV
- Reduce Inflammation
- balsalazide
- mesalamine
- olsalazine
- sulfasalazine
- Reduce immune system
activity & Decrease inflammation
- budesonide
- hydrocortisone
- methylprednisone
- prednisone (Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
- Decrease immune
system activity
- azathioprine
- 6-mercaptopurine, or 6-MP
– Decrease inflammation
- adalimumab
- golimumab
- Infliximab
- vedolizumab
- Acetaminophen – mild pain
- Antibiotics – prevent/treat infection
- Loperamide – slow/stop diarrhea

5. (Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
- Cyclosporine – immunosuppresnt
(Cyclosporine, 2014)
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
wel movements become looser and more urgent
and blood in the stool (What is Ulcerative Colitis,
2014)
Rectal Bleeding
(Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
DIAGNOSED
– monitor anemia
- rule out bacterial/viral diarrhea causes
- see rectum/colon inflammation
- visualize entire colon
– sample of affect tissue removed for testing
– blue spray during colonoscopy

6. to detect changes in lining (What is Ulcerative Colitis, 2014)
– 3D image
– x-ray contrast (Ulcerative Colitis,
2014)
NURSING DIAGNOSES
r/t abdominal cramp
development of anal fissures
anorexia, decreased absorption of nutrients GI tract
ULCERATIVE COLITIS CONCEPT MAP 3
References
Ackley, B. J. and Ladwig, G. B. (2014). Inflammatory Bowel
Disease [Child and Adult].
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to
Planning Care (10th ed.).
Online: Mosby. Retrieved from Skyscape.
Ulcerative Colitis. (2014). National Digestive Disease
Information and Kidney Diseases.

7. Retrieved from
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/
What is Ulcerative Colitis? (2014). Crohn’s & Colitis
Foundation of America. Retrieved from
http://www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-
ulcerative-colitis/
Winkelman, C. (2013). Ulcerative Colitis. Clinical Company
for Medical-Surgical Nursing:
Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care (7th ed.). Retrieved
from Skyscape.
Concept Map Rubric
Possible points
Points earned
APA Format; title and reference page; information is cited;
references and citations match.
1
If information is not cited, the paper receives a ZERO
Headers:
1. Pathophysiology
Written in own words. Information cited

8. 2
2. How is the disease diagnosed?
Written in own words. Information cited.
1
3. Signs and symptoms
2
4. Causes of disease
Written in own words. Information cited
1
5. Treatments and medications
Information cited
2
6. Nursing diagnoses (4 nursing diagnoses)
Information cited
2
7. Patient teaching
Written in own words. Information cited
2
8. Nursing considerations
Written in own words. Information cited
2
Total points
15