Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common ailment that can lead to lost productivity, and anxiety, is a burden on patients and the healthcare sector. Ms. Lauren Parker is a 29-year-old woman who visited the hospital to receive treatment. Ms. Parker has had severe cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain for the past week. Since there is no procedure to identify IBS conclusively, the doctor began with a thorough medical background and physical examination. Later, a test was performed to rule out different disorders such as celiac disease and the patient’s stool was sampled to look for infections. As a result of the testing ruling out infections, Ms. Parker was diagnosed with IBS. The nurse should focus on other symptoms like altered bowel behavior, such as diarrhea or constipation.
Pathophysiology
IBS is a typical condition that impacts the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and intestines. Constipation, diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain are all possible signs and symptoms of this illness. IBS is a chronic disorder that requires ongoing management for patients. Only a tiny percentage of IBS sufferers experience severe symptoms (Masuy et al., 2019). Some individuals can manage their symptoms by controlling their diet, way of life, and stress. Moreover, medication and counseling might be used to address more severe symptoms. Although the specific causes of IBS are unknown, it is associated with stress, a family medical history of IBS, oversensitive gut nerves, and food moving through the intestines too rapidly or slowly (Masuy et al., 2019). IBS does not alter gut tissue or raise a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Patient History
Ms. Parker’s medical history determined that she had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and posttraumatic stress disorder. The patient was instructed to limit alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day due to elevated blood pressure. Additionally, Ms. Parker received angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which lower blood pressure by calming the blood arteries. Ms. Parker underwent psychotherapy and medication to manage PTSD to recover control over her life.
Nursing Physical Assessment
Ms. Parker’s blood pressure was 140/90mmHg which is considerably high. IBS is consistently linked to elevated blood pressure because constipation puts pressure on the stools. Aortic dissection, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and acute coronary syndrome are a few cardiovascular conditions that high blood pressure can cause. The patient’s intestines released soft and difficult-to-hear noises that made Ms. Parker uncomfortable. The bowel sounds were filtered out, and their precise position was located using a computer. Ms. Parker would experience relief from her IBS discomfort while ambulating.
Related Treatments
IBS treatment aims to reduce symptoms as much as possible so that a patient can lead a symptom-free life. The agony brought on by the symptoms was facilitated by the drugs given to Ms. Parker. Alosetron is one of the drugs, and it is used to relax the intestines and reduce the movement of material via the lower gut. Other drugs were Rifaximin, which lessens diarrhea and bacterial overgrowth, and Linaclotide, which increases fluid production in the gastrointestinal tract to aid stool passage. IBS symptoms can be managed with various medications, but these prescription drugs do not cure the illness.
Nursing Diagnosis and Patient Goal
From Ms. Parker’s symptoms, the main problem is in the gastrointestinal tract. IBS is categorized as an operational gastrointestinal problem, meaning that there is some bowel function abnormality. In addition, IBS can be very uncomfortable and harm the quality of life. There is no one treatment for IBS that works for everyone. Reducing diarrhea, treating constipation, and reducing bloating and cramping are a few issues that need to be addressed. Dietary modifications will assist in treating the patient’s IBS symptoms. To relieve constipation by making stools soft and easy to pass, Ms. Parker should consume more fiber. The patient should avoid gluten-containing foods like cereal, grains, pasta, and packaged foods. Some IBS sufferers experience worse symptoms after consuming gluten.
Nursing Intervention
Setting long-term objectives and goals is crucial for guiding nurses throughout their careers. A coherent vision will give me a feeling of purpose and guidance as I work toward my goals. It would be helpful to acquire the necessary skills to accomplish the nursing goals. In addition, I would stand out from my peers by offering better customer service to win the respect of my bosses (Rosa et al., 2020). By achieving the objectives, I would be able to enhance my nursing technique and change how I interact with patients.
Evaluation
Nursing interventions are an essential service for patients because caregivers look out for their physical, mental, emotional, and social needs. Ms. Parker’s quality of life increased as the discomfort from the symptoms subsided following the nursing intervention. Eating well and making dietary changes are essential to managing IBS and patient health (Paine, 2021). By carefully planning her food, Ms. Parker could decrease her illness’s symptoms. Dietary changes can help patients with IBS live comfortably in addition to typical therapies like medicine.
Recommendations
The nurse should advise Ms. Parker to start exercising regularly to sustain her rehabilitation in the future. Furthermore, numerous health advantages of exercise may help with IBS. These workouts include walking, jogging, bodyweight exercises, aerobics with minimal impact, and leisurely swimming. Exercise is known to reduce stress, enhance bowel movement, and reduce bloating, which all help lessen the symptoms of IBS.
References
Masuy, I., Pannemans, J., & Tack, J. (2019). Irritable bowel syndrome: Diagnosis and management. Minerva Gastroenterological e Dietologist, 66(2), 136-150.
Paine, P. (2021). Review article: Current and future treatment approaches for pain in IBS. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 54(1), 75-88.
Rosa, W. E., Dossey, B. M., & Watson, J. (2020). Nursing theory in the quest for the sustainable development goals. Nursing Science Quarterly, 33(2), 178-182.