upper endoscopy question

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Hi everyone!

I'm reviewing for an exam and I have a question about one of the practice scenarios I have.

The patient is undergoing an upper endoscopy for further evaluation of peptic ulcers. After the endoscopy, which is more important in the immediate post operative care: determining if the patient has abdominal pain or confirming the return of the gag reflex?

At first I thought it would be the gag reflex because that's airway-related, but is that the most important in the immediate post-op care?? I guess I'm getting hung up on the word immediate and what that really means. Immediately post-op I wouldn't expect her gag reflex to have returned so I would be more concerned with whether or not she is having any abdominal pain. Does that seem right??

Thanks in advance!

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I'm not sure how checking their gag reflex is at all important. Both of these are GI related.

It says the patient is getting the endoscopy for further evaluation of peptic ulcers, which makes me think they have treated the problem in some way. Abdominal pain is important because it can mean that a peptic ulcer is still present. It's important because stomach acid can and is continuing to erode at the exposed area which can lead to a GI bleed, which wikipedia tells me is really, really, dangerous.

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I always learned assessing a gag reflex is crucial because of the risk of aspiration, especially post-op. :shrug:

- Asira

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Specializes in ED.

Think ABCs!!

I have definitely learned to ALWAYS consider ABCs first, Maslow second. It has saved me many times on nursing tests.

m

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