A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a newly licensed nurse about bowel sounds.
Which of the following characteristics should the nurse use to describe hyperactive bowel sounds?
Sounds are high-pitched
Can be a result of a paralytic ileus
Indicates decreased motility
Sounds are soft and at a rate of 1/min
The Correct Answer is A
a. Sounds are high-pitched.
Hyperactive bowel sounds are bowel sounds that are louder and more frequent than normal. They may be heard as high-pitched rushing or tinkling sounds that occur irregularly at a rate greater than 5-6 sounds per minute. They are often associated with increased intestinal motility, such as in diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or early bowel obstruction.
Option b is incorrect because hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with a paralytic ileus, which is a condition where the bowel stops working and there is a lack of bowel sounds.
Option c is incorrect because hyperactive bowel sounds indicate increased motility, not decreased motility.
Option d is incorrect because soft bowel sounds at a rate of 1/min are considered hypoactive bowel sounds, which can be a sign of decreased intestinal motility, as seen in constipation or postoperative ileus.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Hyperactive bowel sounds are bowel sounds that are louder and more frequent than normal. They may be heard as high-pitched rushing or tinkling sounds that occur irregularly at a rate greater than 5-6 sounds per minute. They are often associated with increased intestinal motility, such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or early bowel obstruction.
Option b is incorrect because hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with a paralytic ileus, which is a condition where the bowel stops working and there is a lack of bowel sounds.
Option c is incorrect because hyperactive bowel sounds indicate increased motility, not decreased motility.
Option d is incorrect because soft bowel sounds at a rate of 1/min are considered hypoactive bowel sounds, which can be a sign of decreased intestinal motility, as seen in constipation or postoperative ileus.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should identify the sudden increase in energy as the priority finding to report to the provider. This could be a sign of an emerging manic episode, especially if the client is taking an antidepressant alone without a mood stabilizer.
It may indicate a switch to a manic state or the development of bipolar disorder. The provider needs to be informed promptly so that appropriate assessment and interventions can be implemented to ensure the client's safety and well-being.
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