A nurse is assessing a client who has a mechanical bowel obstruction caused by intussusception of the ileum. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
High-pitched bowel sounds
Abdominal bruit
Bruising on the flank area
Coffee-ground emesis
The Correct Answer is A
A) High-pitched bowel sounds: High-pitched bowel sounds, also known as "tinkling" sounds, are characteristic of mechanical bowel obstructions. These sounds are created by the intestines as they try to move contents past the obstruction, resulting in increased peristaltic activity. In the case of intussusception, where one segment of the intestine telescopes into another, the obstruction can cause these distinctive high-pitched sounds due to the narrowing of the bowel lumen.
B) Abdominal bruit: An abdominal bruit is a swishing sound heard over the abdomen, usually indicating turbulent blood flow through narrowed arteries. It is commonly associated with vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis or renal artery stenosis. It is not related to bowel obstruction, as bowel sounds in obstruction cases are generally due to changes in peristaltic activity rather than blood flow.
C) Bruising on the flank area: Bruising on the flank area, known as Grey Turner's sign, is typically seen in conditions involving retroperitoneal hemorrhage, such as severe pancreatitis or trauma. It is not a symptom of bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction symptoms generally relate to the gastrointestinal tract and include abdominal pain, distension, and altered bowel sounds.
D) Coffee-ground emesis: Coffee-ground emesis is vomit that appears like coffee grounds, indicating the presence of partially digested blood. This is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, often due to peptic ulcers or gastritis. In mechanical bowel obstruction, vomiting is more likely to contain bile (bilious vomiting) and may occur if the obstruction is high in the small intestine. The appearance of coffee-ground emesis is not typical for bowel obstructions and indicates a different type of gastrointestinal issue.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Lymphocytes 30%:
Lymphocyte levels are typically elevated during the acute phase of mononucleosis as the body fights the Epstein-Barr virus. A level of 30% indicates that the lymphocyte count is returning to a more normal range, which suggests the client is recovering from the infection.
B) RBC 4.4:
The red blood cell count is not directly indicative of recovery from mononucleosis. While it provides information about the client's overall hematologic status, it does not specifically reflect the status of the viral infection.
C) Hgb 14 g/dL:
Hemoglobin levels can provide information about the client's oxygen-carrying capacity but do not specifically indicate recovery from mononucleosis. Normal hemoglobin levels are reassuring but not directly related to the viral infection's resolution.
D) Hct 42%:
Hematocrit levels, like hemoglobin, offer information about the client's blood composition but do not directly indicate recovery from mononucleosis. While normal hematocrit levels are desirable, they are not specific to the recovery status of the viral illness.
Correct Answer is "{\"xRanges\":[232.4270782470703,272.4270782470703],\"yRanges\":[382.1666450500488,422.1666450500488]}"
Explanation
To determine if the child is experiencing subcostal retractions, check the area beneath the ribcage.
D - Subcostal Area:
Subcostal retractions occur below the ribs and are a sign of respiratory distress, indicating increased effort to breathe.
Observing this area can reveal inward movement during inspiration, suggesting difficulty in breathing, often seen in asthma exacerbations.
Rationale
A - Incorrect:
This area is near the clavicle and not related to subcostal retractions.
B - Incorrect:
This is the intercostal area, which can also show retractions but is not subcostal.
C - Incorrect:
This area is too central and does not correspond with subcostal retractions.
Focusing on D allows the nurse to assess the presence of subcostal retractions effectively.
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