A nurse is checking a client's bowel sounds. At which of the following times should the nurse auscultate the client's abdomen?

Prior to percussing the abdomen

Prior to inspecting the abdomen

After checking int kidney tenderness

After palpating the abdomen

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Prior to percussing the abdomen
Bowel sounds are typically auscultated before performing any other abdominal assessments. This allows the nurse to get an accurate representation of the client's bowel activity without any interference from other assessment techniques.

B. Prior to inspecting the abdomen
Inspecting the abdomen involves observing for any visible abnormalities, such as distension or lesions. Bowel sounds are auscultated first to get an initial sense of the client's gastrointestinal activity.

C. After checking for kidney tenderness
Kidney tenderness assessment is not directly related to bowel sounds. These assessments are separate and do not impact each other's sequence.

D. After palpating the abdomen
Palpating the abdomen should be done after auscultation. Palpation can stimulate bowel activity, potentially altering the natural bowel sounds. Therefore, it is essential to auscultate the abdomen before palpating it.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Perform leg exercises every 2 hr: Performing leg exercises every 2 hours is essential for preventing blood clots and maintaining circulation in immobile patients. This is especially important after surgery to prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis.

B. Irrigate the nasogastric tube every 4 to 8 hr: Irrigating the nasogastric tube is not a standard nursing practice and should not be done without a physician's order. The nasogastric tube is typically used for decompression, drainage, or feeding. If the tube becomes clogged or there are concerns about drainage, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider for further instructions.

C. Maintain bed rest for 48 hr following surgery: While some bed rest might be necessary immediately after surgery, the goal is to encourage mobility as soon as possible to prevent complications such as atelectasis and deep vein thrombosis. Patients are usually encouraged to mobilize as soon as they are medically stable, often within hours after surgery.

D. Encourage hourly use of an incentive spirometer while awake: Using an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis and promotes lung expansion after surgery. Encouraging the patient to use the incentive spirometer hourly while awake is a common nursing intervention to maintain respiratory function postoperatively.

E. Document the color, consistency, and amount of nasogastric drainage: Documenting the color, consistency, and amount of nasogastric drainage is crucial for monitoring the patient's condition. Changes in these factors could indicate bleeding, infection, or other complications, and timely documentation helps healthcare providers assess the patient's status and make appropriate interventions.

A. Percuss B. Auscultate. C. Palpate. D. Inspect

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Percuss:
Percussion involves tapping the abdomen with the fingers to assess for areas of dullness or resonance. Dullness might indicate organ enlargement or mass, while resonance is the typical sound over air-filled structures. This step helps identify the borders and size of organs.

B. Auscultate:
Auscultation involves listening to the abdomen using a stethoscope. The nurse listens for bowel sounds, which are the noises made by the movement of the intestines. Absence or abnormal bowel sounds can indicate intestinal obstruction or other gastrointestinal issues.

C. Palpate:
Palpation involves gently pressing the abdomen to assess for tenderness, masses, or areas of discomfort. This step helps identify areas of pain or tenderness, guarding, or rigidity, which might indicate inflammation, infection, or other abdominal issues.

D. Inspect:
Inspection involves visually assessing the abdomen for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, pulsations, or visible masses. It's the first step in the abdominal assessment process as it provides initial information about the overall condition of the abdomen before physical contact.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is checking a client's bowel sounds. At which of the following times should the nurse auscultate the client's abdomen?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who had surgery for a bowel obstruction. The client has a nasogastric tube in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is planning to collect data about the abdomen of a client who reports "stomach pain". Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is planning care for a client who has anorexia and has manifestations of malnutrition. When reviewing the client's laboratory values. which of the following test results should the nurse expect to be low?

A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who had surgery for a bowel obstruction. The client has a nasogastric tube in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has peptic ulcer disease. Which of the following findings is a manifestation of gastrointestinal perforation?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about dietary recommendations for a client who has a hiatal hernia. Which of the following client statements indicate understanding of the reaching? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has been taking omeprazole for the past 4 weeks. The nurse determines that the medication is effective when the client reports relief from which of the following symptoms?

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of gastroesophageal disease (GERD). Which of the following foods should the nurse include in the list of foods the client should avoid?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has diverticular disease. The nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain in which of the following locations?

A nurse is caring for a client who has hepatitis A. The client asks the nurse how he might have contracted the virus. Before responding, which of the following questions should the nurse first ask the client?