Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. An inflamed appendix may be removed using a laparoscopic approach with laser. However, the presence of multiple adhesions, retroperitoneal positioning of the appendix, or the likelihood of rupture necessitates an open (traditional) procedure.
Studies indicate that laparoscopic appendectomy results in significantly less postoperative pain, earlier resumption of solid foods, a shorter hospital stay, lower wound infection rate, and a faster return to normal activities than open appendectomy.
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care planning and management for patients who underwent appendectomy includes: preventing complications, promoting comfort, and providing information.
Here are four (4) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients who underwent appendectomy:
Acute Pain
Nursing Diagnosis
May be related to
- Distension of intestinal tissues by inflammation
- Presence of surgical incision
Possibly evidenced by
- Reports of pain
- Facial grimacing, muscle guarding; distraction behaviors
- Expressive behavior (restlessness, moaning, crying, vigilance, irritability, sighing)
- Autonomic responses
Desired Outcomes
- Report pain is relieved/controlled.
- Appear relaxed, able to sleep/rest appropriately.
- Demonstrate use of relaxation skills and diversional activities, as indicates, for individual situation.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess pain, noting location, characteristics, severity (0–10 scale). Investigate and report changes in pain as appropriate. | Useful in monitoring effectiveness of medication, progression of healing. Changes in characteristics of pain may indicate developing abscess or peritonitis, requiring prompt medical evaluation and intervention. |
| Provide accurate, honest information to patient and SO. | Being informed about progress of situation provides emotional support, helping to decrease anxiety |
| Keep at rest in semi-Fowler’s position. | To lessen the pain. Gravity localizes inflammatory exudate into lower abdomen or pelvis, relieving abdominal tension, which is accentuated by supine position. |
| Encourage early ambulation. | Promotes normalization of organ function (stimulates peristalsis and passing of flatus, reducing abdominal discomfort). |
| Provide diversional activities | Refocuses attention, promotes relaxation, and may enhance coping abilities. |
| Keep NPO and maintain NG suction initially. | Decreases discomfort of early intestinal peristalsis, gastric irritation and vomiting. |
| Administer analgesics as indicated. | Relief of pain facilitates cooperation with other therapeutic interventions (ambulation, pulmonary toilet). |
| Place ice bag on abdomen periodically during initial 24–48 hr, as appropriate. | Soothes and relieves pain through desensitization of nerve endings. Note: Do not use heat, because it may cause tissue congestion. |
| Never apply heat to the right lower abdomen. | This may cause the appendix to rupture. |
| Watch closely for possible surgical complications. | Continuing pain and fever may signal an abscess. |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023
The definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA International. In this new version of a pioneering text, all introductory chapters have been rewritten to provide nurses with the essential information they need to comprehend assessment, its relationship to diagnosis and clinical reasoning, and the purpose and application of taxonomic organization at the bedside. A total of 46 new nursing diagnoses and 67 amended nursing diagnostics are presented.
Ackley and Ladwig’s Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care
We love this book because of it’s evidence-based approach to nursing interventions. This care plan handbook uses an easy, three-step system to guide you through client assessment, nursing diagnosis, and care planning. Includes step-by-step instructions show how to implement care and evaluate outcomes, and help you build skills in diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking.
Nursing Care Plans – Nursing Diagnosis & Intervention (10th Edition)
Includes over two hundred care plans that reflect the most recent evidence-based guidelines. New to this edition are ICNP diagnoses, care plans on LGBTQ health issues and on electrolytes and acid-base balance.
Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions, and Rationales
Quick-reference tool includes all you need to identify the correct diagnoses for efficient patient care planning. The sixteenth edition includes the most recent nursing diagnoses and interventions from NANDA-I 2021-2023 and an alphabetized listing of nursing diagnoses covering more than 400 disorders.
Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care
Identify interventions to plan, individualize, and document care for more than 800 diseases and disorders. Only in the Nursing Diagnosis Manual will you find for each diagnosis…. subjectively and objectively – sample clinical applications, prioritized action/interventions with rationales – a documentation section, and much more!
All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource – E-Book: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health
Includes over 100 care plans for medical-surgical, maternity/OB, pediatrics, and psychiatric and mental health. Interprofessional “patient problems” focus familiarizes you with how to speak to patients.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
More nursing care plans related to gastrointestinal disorders:
- Appendectomy | 4 Care Plans
- Cholecystectomy | 12 Care Plans
- Cholecystitis and Cholelithiasis | 4 Care Plans
- Gastroenteritis | 4 Care Plans
- Hemorrhoids | 3 Care Plans
- Hepatitis | 7 Care Plans
- Ileostomy & Colostomy | 10 Care Plans
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease | 7 Care Plans
- Intussusception | 3 Care Plans
- Liver Cirrhosis | 8 Care Plans
- Pancreatitis | 8+ Care Plans
- Peritonitis | 6 Care Plans
- Peptic Ulcer Disease | 5 Care Plans
- Subtotal Gastrectomy | 2 Care Plans
wowwwww it is really helpful i love this sit
hi can u place/ put ur references. thank you more power, God bless
This site is prayer answered! Thank you!
Bless you and thank you for visiting Nurseslabs! :) Check out our other nursing care plans, too!
I am following this.there are no any class or courses to train for NCELEX in my country. But I trying it via internet.thanks for helping us.
thank you Matt, I am in the same position now, doing nursing care plans is a challenge. thank you for your ability to present it clearly.
are the diagnosis for post operative care or its combined pre and post op. for example interventions of acute pain i read somewhere talking for not to apply hot compress for fear of rupture?
Thank you, Matt.
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I appreciate this! Thanks, Nurseslabs!