A day after abdominal surgery,a postoperative patient on a surgical unit says to the nurse,"I'm having a problem with a lot of gas.Maybe it's the food I'm eating." What is the appropriate response by the nurse? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To help patients manage flatulence,the nurse should teach patients to be aware of and avoid foods that trigger flatulence and to encourage patients who have had surgery to ambulate and perform bed exercises,as this helps to stimulate peristalsis and the passage of gas.In severe cases,the nurse may need to obtain a prescription for a rectal tube.In this item,there is no indication that the patient's flatulence is severe enough to indicate a rectal tube.The patient is likely not eating gas-producing foods on day one postoperatively,but the nurse might want to teach the patient about this possibility.Some people develop flatulence after eating gas-producing foods,such as beans,cabbage,cauliflower,onion,or highly spiced foods.For others,flatulence occurs when fiber intake is increased.Constipation is often accompanied by flatulence because digestive by-products undergo prolonged fermentation in the colon.

A Day After Abdominal Surgery,a Postoperative Patient on a Surgical