Practice Question
A nurse is creating a plan of care for an older adult client who has acute pancreatitis and has developed a paralytic ileus. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Withhold food and oral fluids from the client.
Rationale:
🔴Paralytic ileus reflects a temporary cessation of peristalsis, so allowing oral intake would accumulate gastric contents, worsen abdominal distention, and raise aspiration risk.
🔴In acute pancreatitis, any enteral fat/protein stimulates cholecystokinin/secretin, which increases pancreatic enzyme secretion and can exacerbate inflammation—hence strict NPO until bowel function returns.
🔴Nursing priorities include frequent abdominal assessments, documentation of bowel sounds/flatus, and NG decompression if vomiting or distention occurs.
🔴Provide IV fluids and electrolyte replacement to counter third‑spacing and maintain perfusion; consider parenteral nutrition if prolonged ileus prevents timely enteral feeding.
🔴Resume oral/enteral feeding gradually (often clear → low‑fat) only after objective signs of returning peristalsis (bowel sounds, flatus, stool).
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This question is from RN CONCEPT-BASED ASSESSMENT LEVEL 3 WITH NGN which contains 140 questions.
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From Exam
RN CONCEPT-BASED ASSESSMENT LEVEL 3 WITH NGN
140 Questions
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- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Concept-Based Assessment Level Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 4