Twelve hours after undergoing a gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I), a client has symptoms of increasing abdominal pain. The client has absent bowel sounds and 200 mL of bright red nasogastric (NG) drainage in the last hour. Which of the following actions shouldthe nurse take next?
A)Notify the surgeon.
B)Irrigate the NG tube.
C)Administer the prescribed morphine.
D)Continue to monitor the NG drainage.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increased pain and 200 mL of bright red NG drainage 12 hours after surgery indicate possible postoperative hemorrhage, and immediate actions such as blood transfusion and/or return to surgery are needed. Because the NG is draining, there is no indication that irrigation is needed. The client may need morphine, but this is not the highest priority action. Continuing to monitor the NG drainage is not an adequate response.

Twelve Hours After Undergoing a Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I), a Client