Intestinal obstruction

• Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete

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.