Subtotal Gastrectomy Nursing Care Plans

Subtotal gastrectomy or gastric resection is the removal of a portion of the stomach indicated for gastric hemorrhage/intractable ulcers, dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter, pyloric obstruction, perforation, cancer. During subtotal gastrectomy, the surgeon removes only the portion of the stomach affected by cancer.

Nursing Care Plans

Here are two (2) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy.

  1. Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
  2. Deficient Knowledge
  3. Other Possible Nursing Care Plans
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Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements

Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements: Intake of nutrients insufficient to meet metabolic needs.

Risk factors may include

  • Restriction of fluids and food
  • Change in digestive process/absorption of nutrients

Possibly evidenced by

  • Not applicable for risk diagnosis. A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms, as the problem has not occurred and nursing interventions are directed at prevention.

Desired Outcomes

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  • Maintain stable weight/demonstrate progressive weight gain toward goal with normalization of laboratory values.
  • Be free of signs of malnutrition.
Nursing InterventionsRationale
Maintain patency of NG tube. Notify physician if tube becomes dislodged.Provides rest for GI tract during acute postoperative phase until return of normal function. Note: The physician or surgeon may need to reposition the tube endoscopically to prevent injury to the operative area.
Note character and amount of gastric drainage.Will be bloody for first 12 hr, and then should clear and turn greenish. Continued or recurrent bleeding suggests complications. Decline in output may reflect return of GI function.
Caution patient to limit the intake of ice chips.Excessive intake of ice produces nausea and can wash out electrolytes via the NG tube.
Provide oral hygiene on a regular, frequent basis, including petroleum jelly for lips.Prevents discomfort of dry mouth and cracked lips caused by fluid restriction and the NG tube.
Auscultate for resumption of bowel sounds and note passage of flatus.Peristalsis can be expected to return about the third postoperative day, signaling readiness to resume oral intake.
Monitor tolerance to fluid and food intake, noting abdominal distension, reports of increased pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting.Complications of paralytic ileus, obstruction, delayed gastric emptying, and gastric dilation may occur, possibly requiring reinsertion of NG tube.
Avoid milk and high-carbohydrate foods in the diet.May trigger dumping syndrome.
Note admission weight and compare with subsequent readings.Provides information about adequacy of dietary intake and determination of nutritional needs.
Administer IV fluids, TPN, and lipids as indicated.Meets fluid and nutritional needs until oral intake can be resumed.
Monitor laboratory studies (Hb and Hct, electrolytes, and total protein, prealbumin).Indicators of fluid and nutritional needs and effectiveness of therapy, and detects developing complications.
Progress diet as tolerated, advancing from clear liquid to bland diet with several small feedings.Usually NG tube is clamped for specified periods of time when peristalsis returns to determine tolerance. After NG tube is removed, intake is advanced gradually to prevent gastric irritation and distension.
Administer medications as indicated:
Controls dumping syndrome, enhancing digestion and absorption of nutrients.
  • Fat-soluble vitamin supplements, including vitamin B12, calcium
Removal of the stomach prevents absorption of vitamin B12 (owing to loss of intrinsic factor) and can lead to pernicious anemia. In addition, rapid emptying of the stomach reduces absorption of calcium.
  • Iron preparations
Corrects and prevents iron deficiency anemia.
  • Protein supplements
Additional protein may be helpful for tissue repair and healing.
  • Pancreatic enzymes, bile salts
Enhances digestive process.
Promotes absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins to prevent malabsorption problems.
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See Also

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