For patients presenting with mild symptoms or minimal evidence of sepsis, a barium enema may show perforation contained within mediastinum and draining back into the esophagus. Rarely, tube thoracostomy may be urgently used to decompress the chest. Fluid removed is usually stomach contents and, occasionally, pus, especially if a delay in diagnosis has occurred. Analgesics - Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Ensures patient comfort, promotes pulmonary toilet, and enables physical therapy regimens.
Many analgesics have sedating properties that are beneficial to patients who have sustained trauma.
IV doses may be administered in a number of ways, commonly titrated until desired effect is obtained. Pregnancy B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks. Antiemetics - Useful in treating symptomatic nausea and preventing further contamination of pleural space. Has an anticholinergic effect and can depress the reticular activating system. May be responsible for relieving nausea and vomiting.