What are the two primary functions of the small intestine?
digestion and absorption
A male client is recovering from small bowel resection. To relieve pain the physician prescribes morphine 50 mg IM Q6H. The nurse administers the medication at 0700. When would the patient's next dose be?
2100/ 1:00pm
What is SC's admitting diagnosis?
Small bowel obstruction
How do we verify NG tube placement?
X- ray
SC develops very acute pain, What could be happening?
Bowel perforation
Name two clinical manifestations of intestinal obstruction.
abdominal pain, vomiting, distension, and constipation
A patient complains of gas pains and abdominal distention two days after a small bowel resection. Which nursing action is best to take?
A. encourage the patient to ambulate.
B. instill a mineral oil retention enema.
C. administer the ordered IV morphine sulfate.
D. offer the ordered suppository.
A. encourage the patient to ambulate
How old is SC?
A. 78
B. 52
C. 76
D. 82
B. 52
True or False: About 6 to 8 L of fluid enter the small intestine daily.
True
SC develops a high fever. What complication could he be experiencing?
Peritonitis
Stranulation
Bowel ischemia
True or False: bowel sounds below the the area of obstruction are high pitched.
False: bowel sounds are high pitched above the area of obstruction and are usually absent below the area of obstruction.
The nurse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction would plan to implement which nursing intervention first?
A. administering pain medication
B. obtaining a blood sample for laboratory studies
C. preparing to insert a foley
D. administering I.V. fluids
D. administering I.V. fluids
What surgery did SC have?
A. colon
B. small intestine
C. appendectomy
D. biliary
C. appendectomy
After insertion of a NG tube, the nurse should place the client in which position?
A. supine.
B. right side-lying.
C. semi-Fowler's.
D. upright in a bedside chair.
B. right side-lying
SC develops chest pain and shortness of breath. You listen to his lungs and hear coarse crackles. What complication could he be experiencing?
Pulmonary edema
As the small bowel dilates from, it's blood flow can be compromised and lead to what?
Necrosis or strangulation
A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of an obstruction in the small intestine. The nurse should assess the client for? Select all that apply.
A. projectile vomiting
B. diarrhea
C. rapid onset of dehydration
D. increased/ high pitched bowel sounds
A. projectile vomiting
C. rapid onset of dehydration
D. increased/ high pitched bowel sounds
How is SC's abdominal pain being treated?
Morphine sulfate
What is the normal pH range for NG tube aspirate?
1-5.5 / less than 5
SC's blood pressure starts to fall and he becomes tachycardic. What complication could he be experiencing?
Hypovolemic shock
Name two mechanical causes for a bowel obstruction
adhesions, intussusception, volvulus, herniation, neoplasms
The nurse is caring for a 82-year-old patient admitted with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The patient has an abdominal mass, and a bowel obstruction is suspected. The nurse auscultating the abdomen listens for which type of bowel sounds that are consistent with the patient's clinical picture?
a. Low-pitched and rumbling above the area of obstruction
b. High-pitched and hypoactive below the area of obstruction
c. Low-pitched and hyperactive below the area of obstruction
d. High-pitched and hyperactive above the area of obstruction
b. High-pitched and hypoactive below the area of obstruction
Why does SC need a nasogastric tube?
To decompress the small bowel proximal to the obstruction.
Which of these labs would be consistent with bowel obstruction? Select all that apply.
A. decreased WBC
B. elevated BUN
C. elevated creatinine
D. decreased hemoglobin
B. elevated BUN
C. elevated creatinine
SC's labs show his BUN and creatinine are elevated. What complication could he be experiencing?
Renal failure