Small bowel Obstruction

[ann945n, RN]

Ive been trying to find reasons why a pt with a small bowel obstruction should not be putting a heating pad on their abd. My teacher wanted me to look this up but it has been in vain. I thinking it has to do with sepsis, any ideas? Thanks!

[leslie :-D]

my first thought is a heating pad would further contribute to dehydration, a risk that cannot afford to be taken in sbo.

leslie

[Melody007_FNP-C, APRN]

Infection would be a problem for a patient with a SBO, a heating pad could cause the infection to spread. I also know it is a big no no with a patient presenting with s/s of appendicitis.

[taramayrn]

I would agree that applying a heating pad would increase circulation to the area therefore could spread infection.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Maybe you should be looking into things that are contraindicated instead of reasons why it would be done.

However, if it is in fact a known small bowel obstruction, id wonder if it was mechanical or illius. That might lead you somewhere. Applying heat may relax the muscles and reduce pain some.

[CHATSDALE]

it might allleviate some of the pain but it might also hide some sx of a life threatening condition

better to concentrate of palpitations and bowel sounds to report to md, forcefully if necessary

[ann945n, RN]

So after doing some thinking would applying heat increase blood flow to a possiblie infected area or area where blood could get stuck and make more swelling furthering the obstruction and possible rupture of some kind?

[taramayrn]

So after doing some thinking would applying heat increase blood flow to a possiblie infected area or area where blood could get stuck and make more swelling furthering the obstruction and possible rupture of some kind?

Some things for you to think about that might help you answer the question:

- does blood get "stuck"?

-does heating an area cause edema?

-what are the causes of a perforated/ruptured bowel?