A nursing instructor is observing a nursing student auscultating a client’s bowel sounds. Which of the following actions might require the instructor’s intervention?

A. Performs auscultation between meals:

Auscultating bowel sounds between meals is suitable as it allows for better detection of bowel sounds when digestion is not actively occurring.

B. Clamps the Naso Gastric tube during auscultation

Clamping the Naso Gastric (NG) tube during auscultation is appropriate. The NG tube when unclamped allows the free passage of air and fluid through the gastrointestinal tract. This could interfere with the natural sounds produced by the movement of air and fluid in the intestines, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment of bowel sounds.

C. Palpates the abdomen prior to performing auscultation:

Palpating the abdomen before auscultation may interfere with normal bowel sounds

D. Auscultates bowel sounds for 3 to 5 min:

Auscultating bowel sounds for a sufficient duration (3 to 5 minutes) is appropriate to comprehensively assess the presence, frequency, and character of bowel sounds.

A. Dorsal surface of the foot:

The skin on the dorsal surface of the foot may have more pigmentation, making it potentially more challenging to detect cyanosis in individuals with dark skin.

B. Pinnae of the ears:

The ears may have variable pigmentation, and the presence of hair can affect the visibility of cyanosis. The skin on the pinnae may not be as thin as the skin on the dorsal surface of the hand.

C. Dorsal surface of the hand

When assessing for cyanosis in a client with dark skin, the nurse should examine areas with less pigmentation or areas where the skin is thin. The dorsal surface of the hand is often a suitable site, as it is less pigmented and can show bluish discoloration if cyanosis is present.

D. Conjunctivae:

The conjunctivae (the mucous membranes lining the inner surface of the eyelids and covering the white part of the eyes) are not a reliable site for assessing cyanosis in individuals with dark skin. Mucous membranes may not show cyanosis as prominently as the skin.