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 B
Explanation
The nurse should explain to the patient that phenazopyridine is a medication that can help relieve the pain, burning, and urgency associated with UTIs. However, it does not treat the underlying infection. The nurse should also instruct the patient to take the medication as prescribed by the healthcare provider and inform them that the medication may turn their urine an orange or red color, which is a harmless and expected side effect.
The nurse should also inform the patient that taking phenazopyridine before sexual intercourse is not recommended and that the medication should be taken as directed by the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Lipase is an enzyme that is produced by the pancreas and is involved in the digestion of fats. In acute pancreatitis, the pancreas becomes inflamed, and lipase levels in the blood can become significantly elevated. Monitoring lipase levels can help healthcare providers to assess the severity of pancreatitis, track the effectiveness of treatment, and determine when it is safe to start a patient on a normal diet.
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