Question

The patient is having an esophagoenterostomy with anastomosis of a segment of the colon to replace the resected portion. What initial postoperative care should the nurse expect when this patient returns to the nursing unit?

a Turn, deep breathe, cough, and use spirometer every 4 hours.
b Maintain an upright position for at least 2 hours after eating.
c NG will have bloody drainage and it should not be repositioned.
d Keep in a supine position to prevent movement of the anastomosis.

Answer 1

The initial postoperative care for a patient with an esophagoenterostomy and anastomosis of a segment of the colon includes maintaining an upright position after eating, monitoring the nasogastric tube, and encouraging breathing exercises.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient has an esophagoenterostomy with anastomosis of a segment of the colon, the initial postoperative care would include:

1. Maintaining an upright position for at least 2 hours after eating. This position helps prevent reflux and aspiration of food.
2. Monitoring the nasogastric (NG) tube for drainage. While the drainage may be bloody, it should not be repositioned as it indicates normal healing.
3. Encouraging the patient to turn, deep breathe, cough, and use a spirometer every 4 hours. This helps promote lung expansion and prevent respiratory complications.