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The nurse is caring for a patient who had an exploratory laparotomy with a resection of a short segment of small bowel two days previously. The patient has gas pains and abdominal distension. Which of the following nursing actions is best to take at this time?
- A. Give a return-flow enema.
- B. Assist the patient to ambulate.
- C. Administer the ordered IV morphine sulphate.
- D. Insert the ordered promethazine suppository.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulation will improve peristalsis and help the patient eliminate flatus and reduce gas pain. Morphine will further reduce peristalsis. A return-flow enema may decrease the patient's symptoms, but ambulation is less invasive and should be tried first. Promethazine is used as an antiemetic rather than to decrease gas pains or distension.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a total proctocolectomy and permanent ileostomy who tells the nurse, 'I cannot bear to even look at the stoma. I do not think I can manage all these changes.' Which of the following actions is best?
- A. Develop a detailed written plan for ostomy care for the patient.
- B. Ask the patient more about the concerns with stoma management.
- C. Reassure the patient that care for the ileostomy will become easier.
- D. Postpone any patient teaching until the patient adjusts to the ileostomy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to share concerns assists in helping the patient adjust to the body changes. Acknowledgement of the patient's feelings and concerns is important rather than offering false reassurance. Because the patient indicates that the feelings about the ostomy are the reason for the difficulty with the many changes, development of a detailed ostomy care plan will not improve the patient's ability to manage the ostomy. Although detailed ostomy teaching may be postponed, the nurse should offer teaching about some aspects of living with an ostomy.
The nurse is conducting preoperative preparation for a patient scheduled for an abdominal-perineal resection. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?
- A. Give IV antibiotics starting 24 hours before surgery to reduce the number of bowel bacteria.
- B. Teach the patient that activities such as sitting at the bedside will be started the first postoperative day.
- C. Instruct the patient that another surgery in 8-12 weeks will be used to create an ileal-anal reservoir.
- D. Administer polyethylene glycol lavage solution (GOLYTELY) to ensure that the bowel is empty before the surgery.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A bowel-cleansing agent is used to empty the bowel before surgery to reduce the risk for infection. Oral antibiotics (rather than IV antibiotics) are given to reduce colonic and rectal bacteria. Sitting is contraindicated after an abdominal-perineal resection. A permanent colostomy is created with this surgery.
The nurse is obtaining a history for a female patient who is being evaluated for acute lower abdominal pain and vomiting. Which of the following questions is most useful in determining the cause of the patient's symptoms?
- A. Is it possible that you are pregnant?
- B. Can you tell me more about the pain?
- C. What type of foods do you usually eat?
- D. What is your usual elimination pattern?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A complete description of the pain provides clues about the cause of the problem. The usual diet and elimination patterns are less helpful in determining the reason for the patient's symptoms. Although the nurse should ask whether the patient is pregnant to determine whether the patient might have an ectopic pregnancy and before any radiology studies are done, this information is not the most useful in determining the cause of the pain.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has blunt abdominal trauma after an automobile accident and severe pain. A peritoneal lavage returns brown drainage with fecal material. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take next?
- A. Auscultate the bowel sounds.
- B. Prepare the patient for surgery.
- C. Check the patient's oral temperature.
- D. Obtain information about the accident.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Return of brown drainage and fecal material suggests perforation of the bowel and the need for immediate surgery. Auscultation of bowel sounds, checking the temperature, and obtaining information about the accident are appropriate actions, but the priority is to prepare to send the patient for emergency surgery.
Which of the following nursing actions should be included in the plan of care for a male patient with bowel irregularity and a new diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- A. Encourage the patient to express feelings and ask questions about IBS.
- B. Suggest that the patient increase the intake of milk and other dairy products.
- C. Educate the patient about the use of metronidazole to reduce symptoms.
- D. Teach the patient to avoid using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Because psychological and emotional factors can affect the symptoms for IBS, encouraging the patient to discuss emotions and ask questions is an important intervention. Metronidazole is an antimicrobial used for infections, not IBS, at the present time. Although yogurt may be beneficial, milk is avoided because lactose intolerance can contribute to symptoms in some patients. NSAIDs can be used by patients with IBS.