Inguinal hernia

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Abdominal contents protrude through inguinal canal; common in infants and can incarcerate.
• Protruding bowel or tissue may reduce or become trapped, compromising blood flow.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess groin/scrotal/labial bulge, reducibility, pain, vomiting, irritability, and skin color.
• Teach caregivers to report a firm painful nonreducible bulge, vomiting, or color change.
• Prepare for surgical repair when ordered, especially if incarcerated/strangulated.

Complications

• Incarceration
• Strangulation
• Bowel obstruction
• Testicular/ovarian blood flow compromise

NCLEX cues

• Bulge worse with crying/straining.
• Nonreducible painful bulge is emergency.
• Vomiting suggests obstruction.

Memory hooks

• Hernia is okay until it is stuck.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Physical exam
• Ultrasound if ordered
• Bowel/perfusion assessment

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.