ASSESSMENT

S:
O:

Decreased
peristaltic
movements.
Decreased
bowel
sounds

NURSING DIAGNOSIS

Background Knowledge

Imbalanced
Nutrition: Less than
Body Requirements
r/t anesthetic
inhibition of gastric
activity.

Adequate nutrition plays an

important role in healing
and recovery. Imbalance
nutrition: less than body
requirements refer to an
intake of nutrients
insufficient to meet daily
requirements because of
inadequate food intake or
improper digestion and
absorption of food. In this
case the patient had
decreased peristaltic
movements and bowel
sounds due to effects of
anesthetic agents.

PLANNING
Patient will demonstrate
nutritional ingestion sufficient to
meet metabolic needs tissue
regeneration and display
improved energy level.

INTERVENTION

RATIONALE

Establish rapport

To establish nursept. relationship

Monitor vital signs

For baseline data

Eliminate existing
noxious
environmental
stimuli or situations
that provokes gag
reflex.

Diminishes
stimulus of the
vomiting center in
the medulla.

Encourage family to
take food from home
as fitting for
hospitalized patients.

Patients with
specific ethnic,
religious partialities
or restrictions may
not be able to
consume hospital
foods.

Offer rest period

before meals.
Prevent stressful
measures close to
mealtime.

Reduces fatigue;
maximizes energy
available for work
of eating.

Administer
medications between
meals (if tolerated)
and minimize fluid
intake with meals,
except fluid has
nutritional value.

Gastric fullness
reduces appetite
and food ingestion.

Ask dietitian for

further evaluation
and suggestions

Dietitians have a
broader knowledge
of the nutritional

EXPECTED
OUTCOME
The patient has
maintained body
temperature within
normal limits.

regarding food
partialities and
nutritional
assistance.

value of foods and

may be useful in
evaluating specific
ethnic or cultural
foods.