31.4: Chapter Summary

This chapter focused on various symptoms that may affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The most common symptoms include heartburn, burning abdominal pain, and regurgitation, and they are often related to excess acidity in the GI tract. Other GI symptoms were discussed, such as bloating, a feeling of fullness, abdominal discomfort, belching, cough, nausea, and vomiting, which may occur simultaneously and may require a multifactorial approach to diagnosis and treatment. The chapter discussed different medications that may be prescribed for treatment and maintenance of these conditions. Nursing assessment and client education is imperative to the proper diagnosis and treatment of hyperacidic conditions.