Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
Fundamentals of Nursing

Introduction

Fundamentals of NursingIntroduction
Figure 27.1 Functional bowel elimination is a physiological process needed to maintain homeostasis. (credit (left): modification of “Blausen 0432 GastroIntestinalSystem” by BruceBlaus/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; credit (top right): modification of “Small Intestine at Steady State” by NIAID/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; credit (bottom right): modification of work from Anatomy and Physiology 2e. attribution: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY NC-SA 4.0 license)

Chapter Outline

Introduction

The gastrointestinal (GI) system, a remarkable and intricate physiological network, is an indispensable component of the human body’s regulatory mechanisms. Operating quietly behind the scenes, it diligently processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste, playing a vital part in sustaining the body’s overall balance and functionality. This chapter delves into the multifaceted dimensions of the GI system, exploring its fundamental functions, examining the various factors that affect bowel elimination, and highlighting the integral role nurses play in ensuring optimal GI health for their patients.

Recognizing the GI system’s intricacies is not merely a professional concern for nurses, it is a cornerstone in delivering comprehensive patient care. Armed with this knowledge, nurses become adept at spotting early signs of potential issues, intervening promptly, and averting complications. Nurses also serve as educators, empowering patients to actively engage in their GI health. Fully understanding the GI system contributes to making accurate diagnoses, informing the development of care plans, and shaping interventions tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jul 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.