What it means
Intestinal gas, made of swallowed air and gases released by bacteria in the colon. Passing flatus after abdominal surgery shows that the bowel has started moving again. The general state of having a lot of gas is called flatulenceFLACH-uh-lensGas in the stomach or intestines, or passing that gas through the anus.Full entry .
For the nurse
After surgery, ask the client whether they have passed flatus and record it, since diet is often advanced once bowel activity returns. Walking helps.
In a chart
"Postoperative day 2: passing flatus, bowel sounds active in all four quadrants; advanced to clear liquids."
At a glance
| Everyday words | passing gas, wind |
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Related terms
flatulence
Gas in the stomach or intestines, or passing that gas through the anus.
paralytic ileus
A stop in the normal movement of the intestines that happens without anything physically blocking them.
distended
Stretched out and enlarged by pressure from inside, such as from gas, fluid or urine.