DISCHARGE PLAN 

METHODS INSTRUCTIONS

Reinforced patient with medication:

MEDICATIONS ● Taught the patient about the purpose and
importance of taking medication.
● Taught the patient about the dosage, frequency,
side effects, and adverse effects.
● Encouraged to follow and adhere to the
medications as instructed by the doctor. 
● Ensured patient and SO/s to be knowledgeable
of medication being prescribed to promote
awareness and immediate referral when
symptoms persist.
● Multivitamins + Fe
● Multivitamins with minerals
● Hasten production of red blood cells.
● Informed that stool color may darken and it is
normal.
● Instructed that if GI discomfort occurs, take it
after meals or with food. 
● Instructed not take within 2 hrs of other
medication or eggs, milk, tea, coffee, cereal. 
● Advised not take antacids or OTC calcium
supplements.

Ketorolac

● NSAID
● Short-term (5 days or less) relief of mild to
moderate pain
● Instructed to avoid aspirin and alcohol. 
● Encouraged to report abdominal pain, bloody
stools, or vomiting blood. 
● Instructed to take with food if GI discomfort
occurs.

Cefuroxime
● Antibiotic
● Treatment of susceptible infections due to group
B streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci, H.
influenzae, E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella,
skin/skin structure.
● Instructed that doses should be evenly spaced. 
 ● Instructed to continue antibiotic therapy for full
length of treatment as ordered by your
healthcare provider. 
● Informed that it may cause GI upset and
encouraged to take with food.

Exercise
EXERCISE/ENVIRO
NMENT ● Instructed to slowly increase your activity level
by doing light activities around the home and as
instructed by the doctor.
● Instructed not to lift anything heavy as instructed
by the doctor.
● Encouraged to follow activity restrictions, such
as not driving or operating machinery, as
recommended by the doctor when taking pain
medicine.
● Instructed to hold a pillow over the stomach and
apply firm pressure before coughing or moving
to minimize strain on the incision sites.

Environment
● Encouraged the SO/s to provide a safe and
supportive environment for the patient.
● Advised to keep maintain a calm and well-
ventilated environment.
● Advised to keep the surrounding clean.
● Instructed to clean belongings usually used by
the patient and wash the hands thoroughly
before touching the area close to an incision
site.
● encouraged client to go about ADLs slowly
TREATMENT and to rest often to help with healing

● promoted use of icepacks on incision wound

to help prevent tissue damage, decrease
swelling and pain

● instructed client to seek immediate medical

attention if any signs of infection manifest
such as:
- redness and swelling around the
incision
- fever above 38°C
 - chills
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea or constipation that lasts for
more than two days

- taught client how to take care of their incision.

HEALTH TEACHING
Tips for taking care of your incision include the
following: 
● Wear loose-fitting clothes. This will help you be
more comfortable and cause less irritation
around your incision.
● Shower as usual.
● Gently wash around your incision with soap and
water.
● Don’t bathe or soak in a tub or swim in a pool
until your incisions are well healed.
If your incision was closed with small, white strips of
tape, leave them in place for 10 days.

Activity: Do's and Dont's

OUT-PATIENT
● If you had general anesthesia, don’t operate
machinery or power tools, drink alcohol, or make
major decisions for at least the first 24 hours.
● Gradually increase activity level to help with your
recovery. Start by doing light activities around
your home once you feel able to do so.
● Don’t drive until you are no longer taking
prescription pain medicine.
● Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds until
your healthcare provider says it’s OK.
● Limit sports and strenuous activities for 1 or 2
weeks.
 -Instructed client to have a follow-up appointment
with their physician within 2-3 weeks after discharge

Diet tips after your appendix was removed: 

DIET
● Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, unless
directed otherwise.
● Take a fiber-based laxative if you are
constipated.
● Eat a bland, low-fat diet, such as:
             Mashed potatoes
                   Plain toast or bread, crackers
                   Soup
                   Plain spaghetti
                   Rice
                   Macaroni (plain or with cheese)
                   Cottage cheese
                   Pudding
                   Low-fat yogurt
                   Low-fat milk
                   Canned fruit (except pineapple)
                   Very ripe bananas

Sexuality:
SEXUALITY /
SPIRITUAL ● Gradually return to your previous level of
activity. Certain positions may be more
comfortable until the wound heals.
Spiritual:
● Advise the patient that prayer will help in aiding
psychological, emotional and physiological
recovery
● Advise the patient that prayer will help in aiding
psychological, emotional and physiological
recovery.

References: 
https://www.mountnittany.org/articles/healthsheets/2275
https://www.drugs.com/cg/open-appendectomy-discharge-care.html
http://www.gensurg.com/instructions/discharge/appendectomy-open-laparoscopic/
https://5minuteconsult.com/collectioncontent/3-198711/patient-handouts/appendectomy-
open-surgery-discharge-instructions
Kizior, R.J, Hodgson, K.J. 2019. Saunder’s Nursing Drug Handbook 2019.