The best indicator that it is safe for a patient to begin to resume oral intake after surgery is

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After surgery,patients may resume oral intake when they have bowel sounds because this indicates that the gastrointestinal tract is working.Appetite may not return for several days,but patients still need nutrients,and so they need to eat anyway.Patients should not eat lying down because of the risk of aspiration,but they do not need to be able to sit completely upright to eat.Blood glucose level is not an indicator of whether the patient is ready to resume oral intake.

The Best Indicator That It Is Safe for a Patient