For 2nd year B.Sc Nursing students

1. INTESTINAL
OBSTRUCTION
Presented By:
Mr. Nandish. S
Asso. Professor
Mandya Institute of Nursing Sciences

3. Definition:
 It is a condition in which digested material is prevented from
passing normally through the bowel.
 It occurs when intestinal contents cannot pass through the GI
Tract.
 The obstruction may be partial or complete.

4. Etiology :
The causes may be classified as Mechanical and Non –
mechanical.
1) Mechanical :
• It is caused by an occlusion of the lumen of intestinal tract.
• Most often occlusion occurs in ileum.
• Mechanical obstruction occurs in 90% of the cases.

5. Mechanical causes are
- Adhesions (intestine become adherent to areas that heal slowly or
scar after abdominal surgery).
- Strangulated intestinal hernia
- Ileocecal Intussusception (one part of the intestine slips into another
part located below it) / Telescoping.
- Volvulus (bowel twists and turns on itself & occludes the blood
supply).
- Neoplasm or Tumor (if it exists within the lumen of intestine).
- Mesenteric occlusion (blockage in the blood vessels)

6. 2) Non Mechanical :
It results from neuromuscular or vascular disorder.
- Paralytic Ileus (lack of intestinal peristalsis)
- Pseudo obstruction (there is no demonstration by features /
radiology)
ex : collagen vascular disease, endocrine disorders
- Vascular obstructions.
ex : emboli , atherosclerosis of mesenteric arteries

9. Clinical Manifestations :
- Nausea & Vomiting (Projectile)
- Vomitus may be orange brown in colour with foul smell.
- Abdominal pain / crampy pain
- Abdominal distension
- Inability to pass flatus
- Obstipation
- Generalized discomfort
- Abdominal tenderness & Rigidity
- Barborygmi (Audible abdominal sounds produced by hyperactive
intestinal motility).

10. Diagnostic studies :
- Thorough History collection & Physical examination
- Abdominal X –ray (Upright & Lateral)
- Barium Enema
- Upper GI Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy
- CBC
- BUN
- Serum Electrolytes

11. Medical Management :
- Decompression of the bowel through an NG / Naso intestinal Tube
by removal of gas & fluid.
- Correction & maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Resting bowel activities
- Sigmoidoscopy reduces volvulus.
- Colon decompression catheters are used through colonoscope.

12. Surgical management:
It depends on the cause.
- Repairing of the hernia
- Dividing the adhesions to which intestine is attached.
- Removal of intestine.

14. Nursing management:
- Acute pain
- Fluid volume deficit
- Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirement
- Anxiety
- Risk for complication

15. Thank you