Question

After a subtotal gastrectomy, a client has a nasogastric (ng) tube to continuous low suction. three hours after the surgery, the client complains of nausea and abdominal pain. the client's abdomen appears distended. the nurse should first:

Answer 1

The appropriate action that nurse should do first is to take note of the signs that can be a suspect of nasogastric tube blockage and that it is needed to instill about 30 ml of air in which will reestablish the patency. Next step is to also take note that the opioids used can increase nausea and abdominal detention and that it decreases peristalsis. The nurse should tell the client and notify them that there will be no stool for several days and that because of the surgery in which is also expected that there are no bowel sounds to be produced.