Nokea
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Prescriptions
0820:
• 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride at 75 m/hr continuous
• 50% dextrose 25 mg IV push as needed for blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Ketorolac 15 mg IV push every 6 hours as needed for severe pain
• Ondansetron 8 mg PO every 8 hours as needed for nausea
• Pantoprazole 40 mg PO daily
• Potassium chloride 40 mEq/100 mL IVPB once
• Sips of clear liquids, advance diet as tolerated
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range: 1 day postoperative
WBC count:
5000-10.000/mm3 (5-10 × 10%L): 12,000/mm3 (12 × 10°/L)
Urea nitrogen (BUN)
10-20 mg/dL (3.6-7.1 mmol/L): 24 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)
Creatinine
Male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL(53-106 umol/L):
1.6 mg/dL (141.4 pmol/L)
Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (44-97 umol/L):
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5--5.0 mmol/L): 3.3 mEq/L (3.3 mmol/L)
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L (135-145 mmol/L): 137 mEq/L (137 mmol/L)
Blood glucose level
74-106 mg/dL (4.1-5.9 mmol/L): 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
Nurses’ Notes
0900:
Continuous IV fluids and potassium chloride infusion initiated; opioids discontinued per health care provider prescription. Ondansetron administered once for nausea. Assisted client to ambulate in hallway once; client currently sitting up in chair.
2100:
No emesis since 0800. Client has ambulated two more times and has remained out of bed. Ketorolac administered for abdominal pain rated as 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating small sips of clear liquids. Bowel sounds absent.
Surgical Unit: 1 Day Postoperative
0700:
Client reports no nausea. Client ambulated 50 ft (15 m) this morning. After ambulation, client reports one small, loose bowel movement. Pain remains at 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating clear liquids. Bowel sounds hypoactive.
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results and Nurses' Notes. Which of the following findings indicate that the client condition is improving following treatment of postoperative ileus? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Hypoactive bowel sounds (B), a loose stool (C), and passing flatus (D) indicate returning bowel function, a sign of resolving ileus. Normalized potassium (E) from 3.3 to 3.5 mEq/L shows effective treatment. Elevated glucose (A) is not relevant to ileus and indicates a new issue.