Nursing care of a patient with a subphrenic abscess

A subphrenic abscess is an abscess which forms below the diaphragm and above the transverse colon. Patients in the postoperative period following gastric, esophageal or hepatic surgery are at risk of developing a subphrenic abscess especially if they are older, if they develop a leak at an anastomosis site or if there was a high operative blood loss. Nurses who are aware of high-risk patients should increase their observations of the signs and symptoms of early subphrenic abscess. Subphrenic abscesses are often managed on the general nursing units but signs of impending respiratory failure or circulatory collapse may warrant transfer of the patient to an intensive care unit. Nursing interventions are then focused on maintaining the body systems, evaluating the effects of the medical and nursing interventions and supporting the patient and family who may be very anxious at the severity of the unanticipated complication.