Question

A nurse is assessing a patient who has been NPO (nothing by mouth) prior to abdominal surgery. The patient is ordered a clear liquid diet for breakfast, to advance to a house diet as tolerated. Which assessments would indicate to the nurse that the patient's diet should not be advanced?

a.Presence of bowel sounds
b.Absence of nausea and vomiting
c.Passage of flatus
d.Complaints of hunger and thirst

Answer 1

nFinal answer:

The nurse should not advance the patient's diet if there are complaints of hunger and thirst. Other assessments, such as the presence of bowel sounds, absence of nausea and vomiting, and passage of flatus, indicate that the patient's digestive system is functioning normally and can tolerate advancement of the diet.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should not advance the patient's diet if there are complaints of hunger and thirst. This could indicate that the patient is not ready to tolerate a regular diet. It is important for the patient to gradually advance their diet to ensure proper healing and digestion after surgery.

Other assessments, such as the presence of bowel sounds, absence of nausea and vomiting, and passage of flatus, indicate that the patient's digestive system is functioning normally and can tolerate advancement of the diet.