Care for Patients with Cholecystitis

Due to patients having cholecystitis the common treatment is a cholecystectomy, the removal of the gallbladder. This most often is a day procedure and the patient would be back home in a few hours, depending on how the surgery goes and coming off anesthesia. Nursing education for the patient to promote the best care for the patient is to educate them and their family about taking deep breaths and coughing every hour to expand the lungs full to prevent atelectasis. Incisions on this type of patient are located on the abdomen and can present pretty tender. To relieve pain is to take the prescribed medication for pain relief like for example oxycodone, hydrocodone etc. and take only as prescribed. Another intervention is to use a pillow over the incision while maneuvering or coughing which may help reduce pain. Make sure the incision sites and dressings are clean, dry and intact. Notify health care professional if signs or symptoms of infection or bleeding occur. The diet to encourage this patient is a diet low in fats and high in carbohydrates and proteins, to promote healing and a diet that is not hard on the digestive tract, something soft. Avoid excessive fats in meals such as fried food etc. Have the patient follow up to make sure promotion of health and healing is adequate. Resources are posted at the bottom for a patient if they are interested in more information on this disease.

 Informational Websites:

• http://www.surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/gallstones-%28cholelithiasis%29.aspx
• http://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-cholecystitis#Overview1
•  http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/gallbladder-and-bile-duct-disorders/acute-cholecystitis

My resources:

Hinkle, Janice L., Kerry Cheever. Hinkle & Cheever: Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Edition. CoursePoint, 11/2013. VitalBook file.
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