A patient is post-op day 1 from open colon resection. Review the bowel function trend and answer the questions.
Trend
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
The trend shows expected post-op ileus resolution: bowel sounds returning by day 2, flatus on day 3, advancement to clear liquids on day 4. Priority interventions: early ambulation (single most evidence-based intervention for ileus resolution), gum chewing (sham feeding stimulates peristalsis), minimize opioid use with multimodal analgesia, advance diet as flatus and bowel function return. Continued NG suction past resolution delays recovery.
Post-op ileus is normal up to ~3 days for colon surgery; beyond is prolonged ileus. Three highest-impact interventions: early ambulation, multimodal pain control to minimize opioids, and gum chewing. NG tube removal once flatus returns; advance diet stepwise.
Post-op day 1 from open colon resection. NG tube to low intermittent suction. Receiving morphine PCA. The nurse evaluates bowel function recovery.
Postoperative ileus — Transient impaired bowel motility post-op; up to 3 days for colon surgery is expected; > 3 days = prolonged ileus.
Sham feeding (gum chewing) — Stimulates cephalic-vagal phase of digestion; reduces ileus duration in post-op patients.