A patient recovering from gastric surgery has red fluid in the nasogastric tube. The patient's vital signs are temperature 98° F; heart rate 104; respirations 23; blood pressure 105/69. Which action by the nurse is indicated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Red fluid in the nasogastric tube may indicate bleeding, which could be a complication of gastric surgery. As the patient's vital signs are also elevated, notifying the healthcare provider is the best action to take. Documenting the findings is important for accurate communication, but reassessing the patient in four hours or reviewing laboratory results would not address the immediate concern of potential bleeding. Reviewing the nasogastric suction settings is also not indicated in this situation.

A Patient Recovering from Gastric Surgery Has Red Fluid in the Nasogastric