Do not irrigate without an order. 1.Immunocompromised patients on antibiotic therapy are more susceptible to overgrowth of this anaerobic organism. Fecal impaction can cause diarrhea. 2.Immobility and altered feeding often results in changes to bowel function. Bowel function often requires pharmacological assistance in critically ill patients.
Constipation produces patient discomfort and interferes with ability to adequately feed.
3.To evaluate appropriateness of enteral feeding. 4.To maintain patency. 5.To monitor fluid balance. 6.To readily identify obvious blood loss. 7 .Repositioning may traumatize incision site.