What are some medical conditions, prevalent in the elderly, which may cause or exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders (GIs)?
GI disorders may be caused or exacerbated by a variety of medical conditions that are more prevalent in the elderly (e.g., fecal impaction, pressure ulcers, and dehydration). • How do GIs present in the elderly patient? The presentation of many GI disorders in the elderly is atypical. For example, GERD may present as dysphagia, asthma, or recurrent aspiration pneumonia or even cough. • What are some nonverbal cues for GI disorders? Nonverbal cues for GI disorders include clutching or rubbing the stomach. • When is it necessary to send a patient with a GI disorder to an acute care facility? A transfer to an acute care hospital may be necessary if the patient has any of the following symptoms: GI bleeding (moderate to severe); acute abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting, a dramatic change in bowel sounds, or a distended abdomen (suspicion of obstruction); a GI tube that has come out and cannot be replaced at the facility within 24 hours; and a gastrostomy tube that has come out and cann
