The abdominal muscle wall holds all the organs in place inside a human body. When this wall becomes weak for some reason and develops a tear, the inner lining protrudes from the tear. This is known as a Hernia. It is important to understand a little more about the Hernia so that an appropriate nursing care plan for hernia can be prepared and followed.

Hernias are generally classified into two categories, based on their position

1. Inguinal Hernia
2. Umbilical Hernia

Inguinal Hernia – The tear in the abdominal wall leading to protrusion of abdominal tissues like the intestinal tissue through a weak spot, is known as inguinal hernia. This leads to a bulge in the area which may not always be clearly visible. The hernia in itself may not be dangerous, however, it may lead to situations which can be life threatening. Also, since the hernia does not get better on its own with time, it is necessary to get it checked and follow the course of treatment as suggested by the doctor.

Some of the common symptoms of Inguinal Hernia in adults are

1. A bulge on either side of the pubic bone. The bulge may not be visible at all times and appear when one stands or strains themselves
2. Mild to severe pain in the groin and abdomen region, especially when coughing or physically straining like lifting weight
3. A burning sensation in the bulge or discomfort in standing. This discomfort and pain reduces when you rest
4. Occasional pain or swelling around the testicles in men and boys

In newborn children and toddlers, the hernia may not be visible except when the child is crying or coughing.

As we have seen, the hernia is caused by the weakness of the abdominal muscles. This weakness can be due to a number of reasons including

1. Strenuous physical exercise
2. Pregnancy
3. Excessive straining during bowel movements
4. Pressure within the abdomen increasing for one or the other reason
5. Chronic cold, cough and sneezing
6. An injury due to an accident or undergoing a surgery
7. Birth defect of the abdominal lining not closing properly as expected

Men and boys are comparatively at a much higher risk of having an inguinal hernia as compared to women. The nursing care plan for inguinal hernia is thus worked out, keeping the requirements of the patients in mind.

The second common type of Hernia is an Umbilical Hernia, which is slightly different from the Inguinal Hernia and hence the nursing care plan for umbilical hernia will also be different.

Umbilical Hernia – This is referred to an abnormal bulge that can be seen at the belly button (umbilicus), especially of a newly born child. Even in the case of an umbilical hernia, the intestinal tissue, fat or fluid from the abdomen protrudes from the inner lining of the abdominal wall. However, the position of the umbilical hernia is different from that of the inguinal hernia.

As a general rule, the umbilical hernia is not dangerous. However, there can be situations, where the intestines are trapped within the umbilical hernia. This can cause damage to the intestines and become life threatening.

The symptoms of Umbilical Hernia are – A bulge near the belly button which is normally not visible, unless the child cries incessantly. Once the child is quiet, the bulge becomes smaller. Most doctors would gently press the bulge so that it becomes smaller and goes back inside the abdomen.

When inside the womb, a child gets their nutrition through the umbilical cord connecting them to their mother. The umbilical cord of a child passes through a small opening in their abdominal muscles. Once the child is born and the umbilical cord is removed, these muscles grow to close the gap. However, in some cases, these muscles do not close the gap completely leading to umbilical hernias.

The most commonly affected group by the umbilical hernia is the infants and newborns. Hence, most nursing care plan for umbilical hernia are geared towards them. But, adults can also be affected by Umbilical Hernia in the following situations

1. Having multiple pregnancies
2. Incorrect lifestyle leading to weight gain and obesity
3. Any abdominal surgery that was conducted previously leaving the abdominal walls weak
4. Ongoing dialysis for kidney problems

Hernia may not be dangerous or life threatening on its own, but it can be quite a painful experience for the patient. And if it is a newborn child suffering the nursing care plan for hernia becomes even more critical. Post-operative care for a hernia nursing management patient is as important as during the operation, thus trained nursing staff is required to take care of the patient.

Some of the common nursing interventions required by patients of Hernia are

1. Pain assessment – The most critical nursing intervention would be to assess the patient’s pain using verbal description or non-verbal signs such as crying in children, facial changes or restlessness. The correct identification of the pain can lead to proper intervention by means to reduce the pain.
2. Medicine Administration – Once the patient’s pain is identified, a trained nurse can administer the pain alleviation medication as outlined in the patient’s nursing care plan for hernia, either orally or through intravenous methods
3. Help in Positioning – The post-operative pain can be managed better if a patient sits or lies in the position where they find maximum comfort. However, turning by themselves and attaining the position may be difficult. This is where the nurse can help.
4. Support Parents in Infant Care – Seeing their little one suffer is a difficult time for parents, and they need all the support to help the child through these painful times. The nurse’s training includes a nursing care plan for umbilical hernia, and hence they can support the parents suitably in taking care of the child.
5. Diet Help – It is the nursing staff that helps the patient get back with their diet after the operation. Starting with ice chips, moving on to fluids and slowly progressing to meals needs the expert guidance of trained nursing staff, who can monitor the patient’s progress and decide when to start the next stage.
6. Training the Parents – While the child is in pain, they may not eat properly. At this time, the nurse can train the parents on how to hold the child so as to minimize the pain, how to feed or change the diapers. All this is part of any nursing care plan for hernia.
7. Provide Ice Compress – A common pain management practice is to give ice compress to the affected areas in order to reduce the swelling.

We at Care24 understand your need for a thorough post-operative nursing care plan for your loved one or yourself. Our staff is especially trained in such specializations to give you the maximum care and ease your recovery process. Every member of our staff is carefully screened and selected through an extensive process.

After this, they are rigorously trained in the nursing care required by patients of inguinal hernia as well as umbilical hernia. Only after they complete this training, are they assigned to you. Thus, you can expect the best services from our staff.

You can avail our services by reaching out to us via email, our website or by visiting one of our offices. Our staff will discuss your specific requirements and then assign the correct person to give you and your loved one the personalized care you require to get through these anxious times. If there is anything bothering you, please feel free to raise it and get your queries resolved with our expert team.