A patient who had gastric bypass surgery 5 weeks ago calls the office to report feelings of nausea,sweating,and diarrhea shortly after eating meals.What response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Some patients who have had a gastrectomy experience a complication known as the "dumping syndrome." The patient has nausea,weakness,abdominal pain,and diarrhea and may feel faint and perspire profusely or experience palpitations after eating.These sensations are caused by the rapid passage of large amounts of food and liquid into the jejunum.When a patient experiences dumping syndrome,instruction is given to avoid eating large meals and to drink a minimum of fluids during the meal.Fluids may be taken in small amounts later,between meals.If sweet foods seem to aggravate the condition-and they sometimes do-the patient should try to avoid them.Although this is not an uncommon manifestation after this type of surgery,informing the patient that this is common provides limited information to the patient and is not the best response.This problem is not connected to alcohol consumption and is not a symptom of a postoperative infection.

A Patient Who Had Gastric Bypass Surgery 5 Weeks Ago