Roles of Nurses in Prevention and Management of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding, a symptom of digestive system disorder, is a common emergency condition in intensive care units. Complications of gastrointestinal bleeding may result in patients experiencing excessive hemorrhage – major blood loss which potentially leading to death (exsanguination). Some patients may require longer length of stay and recovery in hospital, in accompanied with higher cost of treatment. Gastrointestinal bleeding can also become a chronic illness that causes patients to be hospitalized repeatedly. Nurses as a principal group of medical practitioners play an important role in delivering symptom preventions and primary care. To ensure that nurses are adequately equipped to treat gastrointestinal bleeding, fundamental knowledge of the symptom is indispensable (i.e., definition of gastrointestinal bleeding, characterization of pathological differences, assessment of severity and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal bleeding). In addition, standard educational guidelines as a tool should be developed for clinical practice. Some of the purposes of the guidelines include, but not limited to, monitoring complications, preparing patients for special examinations, pre and post examination care, as well as to prevention of recurrence of bleeding. Consequently, nurses’ capability in providing an effective quality care with accuracy, promptness and competence contribute significantly to successful intervention, patient safety and improvement of mortality.