A patient with a T tube for an open cholecystectomy has resumed oral intake.The T tube is clamped 2 hours before meals and unclamped 2 hours after meals to aid in the digestion of fat.During the time the tube is clamped the patient complains of abdominal pain and nausea.Which intervention is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Unclamping the tube immediately is the most appropriate intervention because the patient's symptoms of abdominal pain and nausea could be due to the accumulation of bile since it cannot flow into the intestine when the tube is clamped. Unclamping the tube would allow the bile to flow, potentially relieving the symptoms.

A Patient with a T Tube for an Open Cholecystectomy