Intestinal obstruction is a blockage of the bowel that prevents contents from passing through. Common causes in adults are adhesions from prior surgery and colon cancer, while in children it is often intussusception where part of the intestine telescopes inside another part. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, inability to pass gas or stool. Diagnosis involves x-rays or CT scans to determine if the blockage is partial or complete. Treatment may involve placing a tube to relieve swelling and vomiting or surgery to remove the obstruction if symptoms are not relieved.
Intestinal obstruction is a blockage of the bowel that prevents contents from passing through. Common causes in adults are adhesions from prior surgery and colon cancer, while in children it is often intussusception where part of the intestine telescopes inside another part. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, inability to pass gas or stool. Diagnosis involves x-rays or CT scans to determine if the blockage is partial or complete. Treatment may involve placing a tube to relieve swelling and vomiting or surgery to remove the obstruction if symptoms are not relieved.
Intestinal obstruction is a blockage of the bowel that prevents contents from passing through. Common causes in adults are adhesions from prior surgery and colon cancer, while in children it is often intussusception where part of the intestine telescopes inside another part. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, inability to pass gas or stool. Diagnosis involves x-rays or CT scans to determine if the blockage is partial or complete. Treatment may involve placing a tube to relieve swelling and vomiting or surgery to remove the obstruction if symptoms are not relieved.
blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it. Causes The most common causes of intestinal obstruction in adults are: • Intestinal adhesions — bands of fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that can form after abdominal or pelvic surgery • Colon cancer In children, the most common cause of intestinal obstruction is telescoping of the intestine (intussusception). • Other possible causes of intestinal obstruction include: • Hernias — portions of intestine that protrude into another part of your body • Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease • Diverticulitis — a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected • Twisting of the colon (volvulus) • Impacted feces Symptoms • Abdominal swelling (distention) • Abdominal fullness, gas • Abdominal pain and cramping • Breath odor • Constipation • Diarrhea • Inability to pass gas • Vomiting Diagnosis • An abdominal X-ray, which can find blockages in the small and large intestines. • A CT scan of the belly, which helps your doctor see whether the blockage is partial or complete. Treatment • Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine. This is to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum. • Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms. It may also be needed if there are signs of tissue death. Nursing Interventions • Allow the patient nothing by mouth, as ordered. • Insert a nasogastric tube to decompress the bowel as ordered. • Begin and maintain I.V. therapy as ordered. • Administer analgesics, broad spectrum antibiotics, and other medication, as ordered. • Keep the patient in semi-Fowler’s or Fowler’s position as much as possible to promote pulmonary ventilation. • Look for signs of dehydration. • Monitor nasogastric tube drainage for color, consistency, and amount. • Monitor intake and output. • Monitor vital signs frequently. • When administering medication, monitor the patient for the desired effects and for adverse reactions. • Continually assess the patient’s pain. • Monitor urine output carefully to assess renal function, circulating blood volume, and possible urine retention due to bladder compression by the distended intestine. • Teach the patient about his disorder, focusing on his type of intestinal obstruction, its cause, and signs and symptoms.