The nurse assesses a client 24 hours after abdominal surgery.The client is experiencing nausea, anorexia, and is vomiting foul-smelling emesis.Physical assessment reveals an extended abdomen and hypoactive bowel sounds.Which order does the nurse expect from the client's physician?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms suggest a postoperative ileus or bowel obstruction, where the bowel is not functioning properly to move contents forward. A nasogastric tube for gastric decompression would relieve the symptoms by removing the gastric contents and reducing pressure and distension.

The Nurse Assesses a Client 24 Hours After Abdominal Surgery