Next Steps

Follow-up

If the patient is allowed to go home after their evaluation, they may be given instructions about what they can and cannot eat and drink and which medications they may take. The patient may be told to return to the emergency department if certain conditions occur.

If the patient is given no specific instructions, then follow these recommendations:

• As soon as you feel like eating, start with clear liquids.
  
  
• If clear liquids cause no further pain or vomiting, progress to bland foods such as crackers, rice, bananas, applesauce, or toast.
  
  
• You may return to a normal diet in a few days if your symptoms do not return.

Go back to the emergency department or your doctor in the following situations:

• Your pain worsens or if you start vomiting, get a high fever, or cannot urinate or move your bowels.
  
  
• You have any symptom that seems worse or alarms you.
  
  
• Your abdominal symptoms are not better in 24 hours.