Monitoring a client’s vomiting pattern along with the amount and consistency of the vomit can help in determining the nature of their condition as well as assisting in helping us determine a client’s potential for malnutrition and dehydration, and subsequently their replacement needs. It is therefore essential that this be documented accurately on the client’s fluid balance chart, before being disposed of in keeping with the universal precautions and any abnormality reported and documented in the client’s care record.
When observing vomit it is important that you note the amount, form, consistency, colour, frequency, whether it is accompanied by nausea or pain, and whether it is related to the ingestion of food or medication. Greenish brown fluid indicates the presence of bile. If the vomit is brown and foul-smelling like faeces, this is indicative of an intestinal obstruction in the large bowel. The presence of blood in the vomit is termed haematemesis and may be bright red, indicating fresh blood from the stomach or upper gastro-intestinal tract, or resemble dark brown ‘coffee grounds’, suggesting that it has been partially digested.
Projectile vomiting (that is, vomit emitted with force), can occur at any age. Whilst it is not uncommon in children, particularly if they eat too much too quickly, it should be reported along with any other findings as again this may indicate an obstruction or other disorder.
0 comments:
Post a Comment