A patient returns to the surgical nursing unit following a vertical banded gastroplasty with a nasogastric tube to low, intermittent suction and a PCA machine for pain control. During the postoperative care of the patient, the nurse recognizes the need to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wound dehiscence is a more common problem in obese patients postoperatively and the patient should cough and deep breathe every 2 hours. The patient should be encouraged to use the PCA, since pain control will improve cough effort and patient mobility. NG irrigation may damage the suture line and should only be done by the health care provider. The patient's head should be elevated to allow better respiratory effort.

A Patient Returns to the Surgical Nursing Unit Following a Vertical