The nurse is caring for a patient with advanced colon cancer. The patient is to have surgery to relieve a bowel obstruction that has been causing unrelenting vomiting and abdominal pain. What type of surgery will this patient undergo?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Palliative surgery is performed to alleviate distressing symptoms such as unrelenting pain, nausea, and vomiting. Palliative surgery will not attempt to cure the underlying disease process but will make the patient more comfortable. Reconstructive surgery restores function or appearance of traumatized tissue. A diagnostic surgical procedure establishes or confirms a diagnosis. Ablative surgery removes diseased tissue.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Advanced Colon