Learn how to properly care for patients with gastrointestinal illnesses, with this free online nursing course.

There are six essential nutrients required to maintain life and health: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. This course will first discuss these nutrients including the three major groups of carbohydrates. You will then study the function and division of the stomach and the time frame involved in the digestive process. You will also look into the physical examination of the abdomen involving visual inspection, auscultation (listening to the body’s internal sounds) and palpation.

A gastrostomy is a surgical opening into the stomach, made through an incision in the left upper abdomen. This course will discuss the 16 steps involved in administering a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) for feeding. You will learn that caring for patients with cirrhosis requires careful assessment and monitoring of their nutritional status. You will then study diabetes and learn the seven steps in administering insulin. This course will also discuss the symptoms of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.

By the end of this course you will have a much stronger understanding of the digestive system and highly important types of gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, peritonitis, ulcers, and intestinal obstructions. You will have also learned how to identify the symptoms for each disorder and treat them effectively. This is powerful knowledge that can really make a difference in your patients' lives. So, check out the course today and enhance your nursing or caregiving skills in just a few short hours.