Postoperative nursing management for hemorrhoidectomy should primarily focus on which goals?

• A. Pain relief and prevention of constipation
• B. Wound debridement
• C. Encourage heavy lifting
• D. Restrict fluids

Answer: (A)

Postoperative care after hemorrhoidectomy centers on comfort and promoting healing, with the most important goals being pain relief and preventing constipation. Controlling pain reduces the body's stress response, helps the patient rest, maintain nutrition, and participate in activities that aid recovery, such as ambulation. Preventing constipation is crucial because straining during defecation can disrupt the surgical site, cause bleeding, and delay healing. Therefore, the plan emphasizes effective analgesia, sitz baths, and a bowel regimen that supports softer stools—adequate fluids, high-fiber foods, and stool softeners or laxatives as prescribed. Wound care is important, but debridement isn’t a routine focus, and activities or precautions should avoid increasing intra-abdominal pressure; heavy lifting is discouraged, and fluids should be encouraged, not restricted, to help prevent hard stools.