Nursing Diagnosis Small Bowel Obstruction

A small bowel obstruction is a blockage of the small intestine. This can result from a number of conditions, including adhesions and hernias. The most common cause of small bowel obstruction in children is volvulus, which occurs when the intestines twist on themselves.

Nursing Diagnosis Small Bowel Obstruction

1 Impaired gas exchange related to increased work of breathing and/or impaired ventilatory capacity as evidenced by shortness of breath, bradypnea, use of accessory muscles, and tachypnea.

You may note that the patient has a decrease in their ability to carry out gas exchange, leading to shortness of breath. This can be recognized by observing that they are breathing more rapidly than normal (tachypnea) and/or deeper than normal (hyperventilation). Additionally, you may hear them make noises during the respiratory process, such as wheezing, stridor or grunting.

If this is the case, you will also notice signs of use of accessory muscles including retractions between breaths. These are visible as pulling in around their ribcage with each breath they take; sometimes even coughing or vomiting up food or liquid that occurred while eating occurs due to increased work capacity on parts other than just lungs themselves(1).

2 Deficient knowledge related to etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment modalities and prognosis as evidenced by questions and verbalization of information need.

The nurse should be able to answer all questions related to etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment modalities and prognosis as evidenced by questions and verbalization of information need. The nurse’s ability to provide correct information is essential for effective teaching.

The nurse should be able to explain the treatment options available for small bowel obstruction including surgery or non-operative management.

The nurse should also be able to explain the prognosis associated with small bowel obstruction.

3 Risk for ineffective airway clearance related to accumulation of secretions secondary to immobility as evidenced by change in respiratory rate.

• Risk for ineffective airway clearance related to accumulation of secretions secondary to immobility as evidenced by change in respiratory rate.
• Risk for impaired gas exchange (oxygenation) related to decreased cardiac output and increased work of breathing as evidenced by changes in peripheral perfusion.
• Risk for ineffective airway clearance secondary to impaired cough reflexes and reduced mobility due to pain that may result from abdominal distention or guarding as evidenced by wheezing, gurgling sounds during inspiration, or rales/crackles heard over lung bases on auscultation; use of accessory muscles during inspiration.

4 Risk for imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to decreased oral intake secondary to abdominal discomfort as evidenced by weight loss.

A patient with SBO is at risk for imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to decreased oral intake secondary to abdominal discomfort as evidenced by weight loss.

A patient with SBO is at risk for nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption of nutrients, which can lead to anorexia, and increased stool output, which can lead to diarrhea. The reduced volume of ingested foods may also decrease the amount of nutrients absorbed. These complications may be exacerbated by nausea and vomiting associated with SBO.

5 Acute pain related to distention of the bowel as evidenced by crying, irritability and guarding behavior.

Pain is a symptom of many different diseases and conditions, including obstruction. The presence of pain may indicate that you’re experiencing an obstruction. For example, if you have a small bowel obstruction, your small intestine is blocked by something and can’t move food through it like it usually would. As a result, pressure builds up inside the abdomen and causes pain in the abdomen around the belly button area (and possibly other areas).

6 It is a good idea to have a professional diagnosis if you have any intestinal issues.

When you have stomach pain, it’s important to have a professional diagnosis. A doctor can run tests and give you the correct treatment for your condition.

A professional diagnosis is the best way to get a correct diagnosis, because doctors are trained in medical school to know what symptoms tell them about different illnesses and conditions.

A professional diagnosis is also the best way to get the right prognosis, because doctors know what type of treatment is most likely to be successful based on their experience with similar patients over many years of practice.

Finally, a professional diagnosis is usually necessary for getting medications that are prescribed specifically for your illness or condition—if you’re suffering from nausea or diarrhea due to an intestinal issue, but receive medication meant for someone who has heartburn instead (or vice versa), it may not work as well as expected or could even make things worse!

Closing

The small bowel is an important part of your digestive system. It’s responsible for absorbing nutrients from food and turning them into energy your body can use. When this part of your body becomes blocked or obstructed, it can cause a number of problems that range from mild discomfort to serious illness.