A nurse caring for a client with peritonitis observes the client assuming a fetal position and exhibiting restlessness. The nurse interprets these behaviors as indicative of:

Choice A reason:

Assessing heart function requires specific cardiac imaging, not the imaging indicated for peritonitis.

Choice B reason:

Identifying bone fractures would require imaging specific to the bones, not the peritoneum.

Choice C reason:

Diagnostic imaging in peritonitis aims to detect inflammation and infection in the peritoneum, helping to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Choice D reason:

Evaluating lung health would involve pulmonary imaging, not the imaging indicated for peritonitis.

Choice A reason:

Rebound tenderness refers to increased pain upon release of pressure during palpation and is not related to the finding of a rigid, board-like abdomen.

Choice B reason:

Paralytic ileus refers to a condition in which the intestines stop functioning, causing a lack of bowel sounds and distension, but it is not directly related to the rigid abdomen finding.

Choice C reason:

Abdominal compartment syndrome may cause abdominal distension and increased intra-abdominal pressure, but it does not necessarily result in a rigid, board-like abdomen.

Choice D reason:

The finding of a rigid, board-like abdomen upon palpation is known as guarding, which is a protective response of the abdominal muscles in peritonitis to minimize movement and protect the inflamed peritoneum.