What should be performed for a patient with suspected bowel obstruction?

In cases of suspected bowel obstruction, placing a nasogastric tube for decompression is a standard and critical intervention. This procedure helps relieve the pressure within the gastrointestinal tract by draining accumulated air and fluid, thereby reducing distension and alleviating symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Decompression through a nasogastric tube is particularly important to minimize the risk of bowel ischemia and perforation, which can occur if the obstruction is significant and not addressed promptly. It allows for the assessment of the obstruction while also providing symptomatic relief.

While surgical intervention may ultimately be necessary for certain types of bowel obstructions, particularly if there is evidence of strangulation or if the condition does not respond to conservative measures, immediate surgery is not always required for all patients. The use of oral laxatives is contraindicated in bowel obstruction as they can worsen the situation, and endoscopy is not the first-line management for diagnosing or treating most types of obstructions. Thus, nasogastric decompression is the appropriate and immediate step to take in the management of a patient with suspected bowel obstruction.