Lesson 1Ileus prevention and recognition: bowel function monitoring, return of bowel sounds, criteria for NG tube or bowel rest, prokinetic considerationsDis cover early spot and stop of after-surgery ileus, including bowel sound watching, pass wind and stool, rules for nose tube or bowel rest, and safe use of move-bowel meds in digestive surgery patients.
Baseline and ongoing bowel function assessmentExpected timeline for bowel sounds and flatusIndications for NG tube insertion or suctionNonpharmacologic ileus prevention measuresNursing role in prokinetic drug safetyLesson 2Pressure injury and mobility care: turning schedules, early mobilization milestones first and second postop dayDis detail nursing care to stop pressure sores and push moving, including risk check tools, turning times, skin look, early move goals for each after day, and safe use of help tools and surfaces.
Initial and repeated pressure injury risk scoringTurning frequency and positioning techniquesSkin inspection and early lesion detectionDay 0–2 mobilization milestones and aidsUse of mattresses, cushions, and heel protectorsLesson 3Vital sign and clinical monitoring schedule: frequency for first 48 hours, parameters indicating deterioration (HR, BP, RR, O2 sats, temperature), early warning scoresDis define organized vital sign and clinical watch times for first 48 hours, including how often, good ranges, signs of going bad, early warning scores, and clear call-up and paper duties for ward nurses.
Standard frequency first and second postop dayKey thresholds for HR, BP, RR, O2, temperatureUse of early warning and sepsis screening toolsFocused abdominal and respiratory assessmentsEscalation algorithms and rapid response callsLesson 4Wound, drain, and stoma assessment: signs of infection, anastomotic leak indicators, drain output thresholds and documentationDis focus on systematic check of belly wounds, drains, and stomas in digestive surgery patients, highlighting early infection signs, join-leak signs, safe drain output limits, and correct paper needs.
Standard wound inspection steps and timingLocal and systemic signs of wound infectionDrain types, expected character and volumeRed flag features for anastomotic leakDocumentation and escalation pathwaysLesson 5Venous thromboembolism prevention: mechanical prophylaxis, pharmacologic prophylaxis timing post-op, ambulation scheduleDis explore vein clot stop strategies, including machine prevent tools, timing and watch of med prevent, early and step-by-step walk times, and nursing watch for deep vein clot or lung clot signs.
VTE risk factors in digestive surgery patientsApplication and monitoring of mechanical devicesTiming and checks for anticoagulant dosesStructured ambulation plan for first 48 hoursRecognition of DVT and pulmonary embolismLesson 6Patient and family education in immediate postop period: analgesia expectations, stoma basics if present, signs of complications and when to seek helpDis focus on organized teaching for patients and family in right-after period, handling pain expectations, stoma basics if dere, wound care, warning signs of problems, and when/how to get quick help after go home.
Setting realistic pain and recovery expectationsTeaching basic wound and dressing careIntroductory stoma care and appliance checksExplaining signs of common complicationsWritten instructions and contact pathwaysLesson 7Fluid balance and nutrition: urine output targets, daily fluid charts, progression from clear fluids to oral diet per ERAS, indications for IV fluid continuationDis review fluid balance and early food handling, including urine output targets, daily fluid papers, IV fluid changes, move from clear fluids to mouth food by ERAS, and when to hold or change advance.
Urine output targets and oliguria responseAccurate intake and output charting methodsIV fluid review and adjustment each shiftStepwise diet advancement per ERASRed flags requiring diet regression or NPOLesson 8Nursing-led discharge readiness elements for 48-hour window: pain control, oral intake, mobilization, wound/stoma basicsDis outline nursing-led rules for checking discharge ready round 48 hours, including pain control, mouth intake tolerance, move milestones, wound and stoma self-care basics, and team work for safe go-home.
Pain control targets and oral regimen stabilityMinimum oral intake and hydration criteriaMobility milestones and functional statusPatient ability with wound and stoma basicsDischarge teaching, checklists, and referralsLesson 9Prevention of pulmonary complications: incentive spirometry, deep breathing and coughing techniques, chest physiotherapy frequency, oxygen therapy targetsDis handle stop of after-surgery lung problems true incentive spirometry, deep breathe and cough ways, chest physio times, position, and oxygen targets fit for digestive surgery patients on ward.
Risk factors for postoperative pulmonary issuesTeaching incentive spirometry step by stepSupported coughing and splinting techniquesPositioning, ambulation, and chest therapyOxygen targets and weaning on the wardLesson 10Pain management plan on the ward: epidural management protocols, transition to oral analgesia, dosing, breakthrough pain assessment and documentationDis cover multi pain handling on ward, including epidural and regional ways, change to mouth pain relief, dose times, sudden pain check, side effect watch, and paper to support recovery and moving.
Pain assessment tools and target scoresEpidural and regional analgesia monitoringTransition from IV or epidural to oral drugsManaging breakthrough and incident painMonitoring adverse effects and documentation
