Understanding Nausea and Vomiting

• What is nausea defined as?

  Discomfort in the epigastrium with a desire to vomit
• How is vomiting defined?

  Forceful ejection of partially digested food
• What is the mechanism of vomiting?

  • Coordinated activities of several structures
  • Involves closure of the glottis
  • Contraction of the diaphragm
  • Contraction of abdominal muscles
• How are nausea and vomiting related?

  • Often occur together
  • Treated as one condition
• What should be assessed in cases of nausea and vomiting?

  History of nausea and vomiting
• Why is it important to monitor dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in nausea and vomiting?

  To prevent complications from fluid loss
• What type of support is important for patients experiencing nausea and vomiting?

  Physical and emotional support
• What are some common causes of nausea and vomiting?

  Severe pain, smell, medications
• What role does the vomiting center in the brainstem play?

  It coordinates the process of emesis
• How can vomiting be considered a protective mechanism?

  It helps rid the body of irritants
• What are the sympathetic responses during autonomic nervous system activation?

  Tachycardia, tachypnea, diaphoresis
• What happens to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) during parasympathetic activation?

  It relaxes
• What effect does parasympathetic activation have on gastric motility?

  It increases gastric motility
• What is one of the effects of parasympathetic activation on salivation?

  It increases salivation