A client presents with a possible bowel obstruction, and the nurse completes a detailed abdominal assessment. Which of the following clinical manifestations are consistent with a large bowel obstruction? (Select all that apply).

Choice A reason: Weight gain is not typically a direct cause of chronic pancreatitis. While obesity can be a risk factor for developing pancreatitis, it is not considered a primary cause.

Choice B reason: The use of alcohol is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Long-term alcohol misuse can lead to the development of chronic pancreatitis, accounting for about 70% of cases³.

Choice C reason: Abdominal pain that is relieved with food or antacids is more indicative of conditions like peptic ulcers rather than chronic pancreatitis.

Choice D reason:Exposure to occupational chemicals has not been established as a primary cause of chronic pancreatitis. While certain toxins can affect the pancreas, they are not a common cause of chronic pancreatitis.

Choice A: Bradycardia Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not typically a direct symptom of flail chest. While traumatic injuries can lead to various cardiac responses, bradycardia is not commonly associated with the respiratory distress seen in flail chest. Flail chest is a serious condition that occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks due to trauma and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall. This can severely affect breathing and lead to other complications.

Choice B: Anxiety Anxiety is a common response in patients with flail chest due to the pain and difficulty in breathing associated with the condition. The stress of the injury and the body’s response to the trauma can lead to feelings of anxiety and panic.

Choice C: Dyspnea Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is one of the primary symptoms of flail chest. The instability of the chest wall and the paradoxical movement of the flail segment impair the normal mechanics of breathing, leading to shortness of breath.

Choice D: Unequal chest expansion Unequal chest expansion is a hallmark sign of flail chest. The affected area of the chest wall moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during the respiratory cycle, which can be observed as an abnormal movement during inhalation and exhalation.

Choice E: Hypotension Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can occur in flail chest cases, especially if there is associated trauma such as bleeding or if the patient is in shock. The body’s response to the injury and the potential for compromised venous return due to the chest wall’s dysfunction can lead to hypotension.

Choice F: Paradoxical chest movement Paradoxical chest movement is a definitive sign of flail chest. It occurs when the broken section of the rib cage moves inward during inhalation and outward during exhalation, opposite to the normal chest movement. This is due to the loss of stability in the chest wall and is easily observable during a physical examination. Flail chest is a critical condition that requires immediate medical attention. The signs and symptoms associated with this condition include anxiety, dyspnea, unequal chest expansion, hypotension, and paradoxical chest movement. These symptoms reflect the underlying pathophysiology of the condition, which is the instability of the chest wall and the resulting impairment of normal respiratory function.