Nursing Interventions Nursing Care Plans for Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal Obstruction is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines, preventing the normal transit of the products of digestion. It can occur at any level distal to the duodenum of the small intestine and is a medical emergency. The condition is often treated conservatively over a period of 2–5 days with the patient's progress regularly monitored by an assigned physician. Surgical procedures are performed on occasion however, in life-threatening cases, such as when the root cause is a fully lodged foreign object or malignant tumor.


Nursing interventions Nursing Care Plans for Intestinal Obstruction

• Pain Management Alleviation of pain or a reduction in pain to a level of comfort that is acceptable to the patient. Analgesic Administration Use of pharmacologic agents to reduce or eliminate pain. Environmental Comfort Management Manipulation of the patient’s surroundings for promotion of optimal comfort
• Constipation/Impaction Management: Prevention and alleviation of constipation/impaction. Bowel Management: Establishment and maintenance of a regular pattern of bowel elimination
• Fluid Management Promotion of fluid balance and prevention of complications resulting from abnormal or undesired fluid levels. Hypovolemia Management: Reduction in extracellular and/or intracellular fluid volume and prevention of complications in a patient who is fluid overloaded. Shock Management: Volume: Promotion of adequate tissue perfusion for a patient with severely compromised intravascular volume.
• Nutrition Management Assisting with or providing a balanced dietary intake of foods and fluids. Weight Gain Assistance Facilitating gain of body weight.
• Fluid/Electrolyte Management Promotion of fluid/electrolyte balance and prevention of complications resulting from abnormal or undesired fluid/serum electrolyte levels. Gastrointestinal Intubation: Insertion of a tube into the gastrointestinal tract