The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who underwent bowel resection surgery that morning. The nurse assesses the patient's abdomen and notes that there are hypoactive bowel sounds
The patient is resting quietly without nausea or vomiting. What is the appropriate action of the nurse?
a.
Keep the patient NPO and document the findings in the chart.
b.
Administer a laxative suppository to stimulate peristalsis.
c.
Insert a Salem sump nasogastric tube to low continuous suction.
d.
Notify the surgeon and prepare the patient to return to surgery.
ANS: A
The presence of hypoactive bowel sounds is an expected finding for the first hours after abdominal surgery. The patient should be kept NPO to prevent nausea and vomiting. A laxative should not be administered. A nasogastric tube is not needed unless the patient starts vomiting or a paralytic ileus develops.
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