Disorders of the Gastrointestinal System, 2nd Edition
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Holding all of these structures and or- gans together and providing support is a special type of tissue called the peritone- um , which is made up of mesentery and connective tissue. The parietal peritone- um lines the peritoneal cavity to secure organs and vessels and maintain their position. The visceral peritoneum is the tissue that covers and protects the organs themselves (Elsevier, 2022). Diseases and disorders of the GI sys- tem can range from mild annoyances to life-threatening conditions. Therefore, nurses must recognize the numerous ab- normalities that can occur and how to most effectively intervene to help the pa- tient return to a state of maximum health and wellness. DISORDERS OF THE ORAL CAVITY The oral or buccal cavity contains the lips; the buccal mucosa (the inside lining of the mouth); the gingiva (gums); sub- lingual area (the floor of the mouth and under the tongue); the hard palate (roof of the mouth); the retromolar trigone (the area behind the wisdom teeth); and the front two- thirds of the tongue (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2021). The orophar- ynx, just behind the oral cavity, contains the soft palate (the area that connects the roof of the mouth to the pharynx); the back third of the tongue; the tonsils; and the walls of the throat (ACS, 2021). Many conditions can affect the oral cav - ity, and their impact can range from an- noying symptoms that can be fairly easily resolved to major problems that can have long-ranging effects. Stomatitis Stomatitis, generally classified as aph - thous stomatitis, is inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa that may spread to the lips, palates, and buccal
mucosa. It is a common condition and can be caused by (Mirowski, 2020): ● Infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). ● HIV infection. ● Medication-related ulcerations. ● Environmental or food triggers (e.g., gluten, acidic foods, milk). ● GI diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. Acute herpetic stomatitis is common in young children and is caused by an infec- tion with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Infection with HSV is usually self-limiting, but it can be severe or fatal, especially in neonates. Stomatitis symptoms have an abrupt onset and include malaise, an- orexia, irritability, mouth pain, swallowing problems, and fever (up to 104 °F [40 °C]), which may appear several days be- fore blisters and ulcers. Blisters that de- velop in the mouth and throat eventual- ly “pop” and acquire the appearance of “punched-out” lesions with red areolae. Children should be taught to avoid direct contact with other children, sharing toys or eating utensils, and kissing during an outbreak to avoid spreading HSV to oth- ers (Kaneshiro, 2021). | HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION ● Blood disorders. ● Fungal infection. Although this condition typically re- solves with no long-term effects on the child, it is possible for it to spread to the eyes, which can cause blindness and is a medical emergency (Pendick, 2020).
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