Question

Two days following abdominal surgery a client begins to complain of cramping abdominal pain, and the nurse's inspection of the abdomen indicates slight distention. What action should the nurse implement first?

1) Administer pain medication
2) Notify the surgeon
3) Encourage ambulation
4) Apply heat to the abdomen

Answer 1

The nurse's first action should be to notify the surgeon of the patient's cramping abdominal pain and slight distention following abdominal surgery, which could indicate potential postoperative complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient complains of cramping abdominal pain and exhibits slight distention two days post abdominal surgery, the nurse should first assess the pain and evaluate the patient's current condition before taking further action. As pain and distention can be indicative of postoperative complications, it is vital to determine the severity and exact location of the pain. Health care providers typically divide up the abdomen into nine regions or four quadrants to accurately describe the location of pain or any suspicious mass. Based on the assessment, the nurse's first action should be to notify the surgeon because they need to be aware of potential complications such as infection or a blockage. The surgeon can then order appropriate investigations or interventions.