The nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?
Document the bowel sounds as hypoactive
Administer prescribed drugs for constipation
Review dietary intake for the past 24 hours
Continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Documenting the bowel sounds as hypoactive is not the most appropriate action. Hypoactive bowel sounds are fewer than three bowel sound events in a minute or none at all. However, the absence of bowel sounds does not necessarily mean they are hypoactive. It could be due to other reasons such as ileus.
Choice B rationale
Administering prescribed drugs for constipation is not the immediate course of action when the nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds. Constipation is a condition that can cause hypoactive bowel sounds, but it’s not the only reason for the absence of bowel sounds. The nurse should first confirm the absence of bowel sounds before considering this action.
Choice C rationale
Reviewing dietary intake for the past 24 hours is not the immediate course of action. While diet can affect bowel sounds, it’s not the first step when bowel sounds are not heard. The nurse should first confirm the absence of bowel sounds before considering this action.
Choice D rationale
The correct action when the nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds is to continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds. Bowel sounds are produced by the movement of fluid, gas, and contents through the intestines. An absence of bowel sounds for greater than two minutes may indicate that there is no peristalsis—which implies an ileus.
Therefore, the nurse should continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds to confirm the absence of bowel sounds.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While bleeding precautions are important in certain conditions, they may not be the priority for a patient with significant abdominal ascites. Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, is often caused by liver disease such as cirrhosis.
Choice B rationale
Skin safety protocols are important for all patients, but they may not be the priority in this case. Ascites can cause discomfort and other complications, but it does not directly cause skin problems.
Choice C rationale
A sodium restriction diet can be beneficial for patients with ascites, as it can help reduce fluid accumulation. However, this measure may not be the priority in this case.
Choice D rationale
Implementing a fall risk protocol should be prioritized. The patient’s significant abdominal ascites could affect their balance and mobility, increasing their risk of falls. Furthermore, the patient usually uses a cane for support but forgot to bring it to the hospital, further increasing their fall risk.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A blood pressure of 102/66 mm Hg is within the normal range and would not typically need to be reported to the provider.
Choice B rationale
Yellow-green drainage on the surgical incision could be a sign of a wound infection. Infections after surgery can lead to serious complications and should be reported to the provider immediately.
Choice C rationale
A respiratory rate of 18/min is within the normal range and would not typically need to be reported to the provider.
Choice D rationale
Straw-colored urine from an indwelling urinary catheter is normal and would not typically need to be reported to the provider.
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