A patient reports gas pains and abdominal distention 2 days after a small bowel resection. Which nursing action should the nurse take?
Administer morphine sulfate.
Encourage the patient to ambulate.
Offer the prescribed promethazine.
Instill a mineral oil retention enema.
The Correct Answer is B
Gas pains and abdominal distention are common postoperative complications following small bowel resection. Ambulation is a simple and effective nursing intervention that can help alleviate these symptoms. Walking helps stimulate peristalsis, which can help move gas and stool through the gastrointestinal tract. It can also help prevent postoperative complications such as pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis.
Administering morphine sulfate (option A) may relieve pain, but it can also worsen constipation and abdominal distention. Promethazine (option C) is an antiemetic medication and may be helpful if the patient is experiencing nausea, but it is not the best intervention for gas pain and abdominal distention. Instilling a mineral oil retention enema (option D) may also be helpful in some cases, but it is not typically the first intervention for these symptoms and should be ordered by a healthcare provider.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of early pregnancy, and abdominal pain can also occur due to various pregnancy-related conditions. Therefore, it is essential to rule out pregnancy as a potential cause of the patient's symptoms before pursuing other diagnostic options.
Once pregnancy has been ruled out, the nurse can ask additional questions such as those listed in options a, b, and d to further narrow down the potential causes of the patient's symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is a synthetic hormone used to treat diabetes insipidus, which is a condition that causes excessive urination and thirst due to a lack of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) production in the body. By mimicking the effects of ADH, Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) helps to reduce the amount of urine produced by the body and increase water reabsorption, which helps to alleviate symptoms of diabetes insipidus.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient's urinary output and ensure that it decreases in response to the medication. It is important to note that Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) can also cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood), so sodium levels should also be monitored during treatment.
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