A patient who had abdominal surgery is complaining of "gas pains" and has distention of the abdomen and flatus. To promote patient comfort, the nurse should advise:

lying supine with knees flexed.

early ambulation

turning to the left side.

drinking fluids that are very hot.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Lying supine with knees flexed. Lying supine with knees flexed is a common position that can help relieve abdominal discomfort by relaxing the abdominal muscles and allowing gas to pass more easily.

B. Early ambulation: Early ambulation promotes the movement of gas through the intestines, which helps relieve bloating and discomfort. Moving helps stimulate peristalsis and reduces the risk of constipation or gas accumulation postoperatively.

C. Turning to the left side. Although turning to the left side may help with digestion, early ambulation is the most effective intervention for promoting the passage of gas and alleviating abdominal distention and discomfort.

D. Drinking fluids that are very hot: Hot liquids may irritate the stomach and intestines and are not a recommended strategy for relieving gas pain. Cool or room-temperature fluids are typically better tolerated postoperatively.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Dehiscence: Dehiscence refers to the partial or total separation of the wound's layers, often occurring after surgery, such as when coughing increases intra-abdominal pressure.

B. Laceration: A laceration refers to a tear or break in the skin due to trauma, not a surgical complication.

C. Evisceration: Evisceration occurs when the internal organs protrude through the wound, which is a more severe complication than dehiscence.

D. Autologous: Autologous refers to using a person's own tissues or cells (e.g., blood transfusion), not a wound complication.

A. palpable peripheral pulses. B. clear lung sounds. C. adequate urinary drainage. D. bowel sounds in all quadrants.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Palpable peripheral pulses. Palpable pulses are important for circulatory assessment but are not relevant in determining whether the patient can eat after surgery.

B. Clear lung sounds. Clear lung sounds are important for respiratory status, but they are not the primary factor in determining whether a patient can start clear liquids.

C. Adequate urinary drainage. Urinary drainage is important for monitoring kidney function postoperatively but is not a primary factor in whether a patient can eat clear liquids.

D. Bowel sounds in all quadrants. The presence of bowel sounds indicates that the gastrointestinal system is functioning well enough to begin processing liquids, making this an important assessment before offering fluids or food.

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A patient who had abdominal surgery is complaining of "gas pains" and has distention of the abdomen and flatus. To promote patient comfort, the nurse should advise:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A postoperative patient experiences separation of the layers of his abdominal surgical wound during coughing. Separation of the layers of a surgical wound is known as

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient who had surgery earlier in the day using general anesthesia asks whether he can have something to eat. The diet order indicates clear liquids can be taken. Before giving a Jell O to the patient, the nurse should check for the presence of:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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