If a patient has passed flatus and has no nausea, what should the nurse do next regarding the patient’s diet?

Advancing to clear liquids is the appropriate next step after a patient has passed flatus and has no nausea. This indicates that the gastrointestinal tract is functioning well following surgery or a similar intervention. Clear liquids are typically well tolerated and can be easily digested, allowing the body to gradually resume normal gastrointestinal function.

This gradual approach is important in the postoperative setting as it minimizes the risk of complications such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distension that can occur if a patient is advanced too quickly to more complex foods. Clear liquids, such as broth, tea, or clear juice, help to reintroduce nourishment without overwhelming the system.

Resuming the previous diet might be too aggressive at this stage and could lead to complications, especially if the previous diet consisted of solid foods. Advancing to full liquids immediately could also pose a risk if the patient’s digestive system has not adequately adjusted back to processing food since digestive ability may still be recovering. Contacting the physician for orders is generally unnecessary in this scenario, as passing flatus with no nausea is a positive sign indicating readiness for the next step in diet advancement.