Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse Practice Exam

Nausea and vomiting are commonly the initial symptoms of small bowel obstruction due to the cumulative effects of the obstruction on normal gastrointestinal motility. When the small intestine is obstructed, the passage of intestinal contents is hindered, leading to an increase in intestinal pressure. This pressure can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain, prompting the body to expel contents that cannot move forward. In many cases, these symptoms can develop quickly, as the body reacts to the blockage. While other symptoms, such as weight loss, constipation, and diarrhea, may occur later in the clinical course, they are not typically the first signs that a patient experiences. Weight loss may develop over time due to malabsorption and reduced dietary intake as a result of the obstruction, constipation can occur depending on the severity and location of the obstruction, and diarrhea may arise in certain situations, such as when there is a partial obstruction or when contents back up into the colon. However, nausea and vomiting remain the most immediate and consistent symptoms.