A community health nurse is preparing for an initial home visit to a patient discharged following a total gastrectomy for treatment of gastric cancer. What would the nurse anticipate that the plan of care is most likely to include?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{12}$ is absorbed in the stomach, the patient requires vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{12}$ replacement to prevent pernicious anemia. A gastrectomy precludes the use of a $\mathrm{G}$ tube. Since the stomach is absent, a nasogastric tube would not be indicated. As well, this is not possible in the home setting. Since there is no stomach to act as a reservoir and fluids and nutrients are passing directly into the jejunum, distension
is unlikely.

A Community Health Nurse Is Preparing for an Initial Home G\mathrm{G}G

A Community Health Nurse Is Preparing for an Initial Home $\mathrm{G}$