Why are patients scheduled for operation not allowed to eat?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it because to avoid defecation during operation? Because this morning, an ORIF operation was postponed because the patient kept on defecating. What are other reasons behind this?:confused::confused::confused: Thanks!

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I could be wrong, but I think it reduces the chances of vomiting, and ultimately aspirating or choking, as many anesthetics can cause this.

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Thats true Ginger80, thats what I was told when i did a couple days in theatres. Not too sure about the bowels because they could use special soppository to clear the bowels, like they do for some surgeres. lata

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I could be wrong, but I think it reduces the chances of vomiting, and ultimately aspirating or choking, as many anesthetics can cause this.

I agree, I have been taught the same reason for a patient to be NPO.

As for the patient defecating, I think the patient is supposed to be stable before going to surgery, and if the patient is having several stools, and was NPO, s/he could be at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances and that can halt surgery until the imbalances are corrected.

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They probably cancel to query if the patient have an infection which is causing increase bowel movement, and would wait and traet it before they go ahead with the op unless its an emergency.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ER.

To prevent aspiration and protect the airway. If you are sick enough to require surgery the last thing you want is your last meal in your lungs.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Yes, the 'no eating/drinking' rule (aka NPO) has to do with the possibility of vomiting and aspiration.

If the patient is having frequent stools, the docs might want to investigate the possibility of infection. Not to mention how bad it might be for the patient to need frequent turning to be cleaned up and the danger of wound infection.

Ms.pebbles - if you are a nurse, I am saddened by this thread. If you are not a nurse, you may want to become one!

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Yes, the 'no eating/drinking' rule (aka NPO) has to do with the possibility of vomiting and aspiration.

If the patient is having frequent stools, the docs might want to investigate the possibility of infection. Not to mention how bad it might be for the patient to need frequent turning to be cleaned up and the danger of wound infection.

Ms.pebbles - if you are a nurse, I am saddened by this thread. If you are not a nurse, you may want to become one!

I am not a nurse but I want to become one someday!:nurse: Im a student and still on the learning process...:)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Take a look under Mendleson's syndrome or aspiration pneumonitis for more information, but in general you want a patients stomach to have less than 25mls/Adult and a gastric acid pH 2.5 or greater. Pneumonia, Aspiration: eMedicine Pulmonology

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

It kind of saddens me that nurses or future nurses have to defend themselves when asking a question.

Yes... a nurse should know some of the answers to that question about loose stools and surgery. BUT this site should be support for questions in a positive manner without making anyone feel bad.

I have read so many threads on nurses eating their young, not supporting each other etc... Saying "If you are a nurse, this thread saddens me"... to a new grad or someone who just thought there might be other reasons unknown to her may make that nurse uncomfortable to ask questions in the future. I'm glad it was a future nurse who asked this so they weren't ridiculed for it.

Let's all help each other out, not make them feel bad for asking.

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Could not agree more. We need to be more supportive of each other, the job itself is difficult enough. Not a day goes by that I don't question something or learn something new.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
It kind of saddens me that nurses or future nurses have to defend themselves when asking a question.

Yes... a nurse should know some of the answers to that question about loose stools and surgery. BUT this site should be support for questions in a positive manner without making anyone feel bad.

I have read so many threads on nurses eating their young, not supporting each other etc... Saying "If you are a nurse, this thread saddens me"... to a new grad or someone who just thought there might be other reasons unknown to her may make that nurse uncomfortable to ask questions in the future. I'm glad it was a future nurse who asked this so they weren't ridiculed for it.

Let's all help each other out, not make them feel bad for asking.

BRAVO :yeah: ... thank you for proving that some nurses still have heart! :nurse:

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