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

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Laying down 30 minutes after eating can actually worsen GERD symptoms. This is because the position can make it easier for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Choice B rationale
Practicing good oral hygiene is important for everyone, but it doesn’t directly prevent GERD. However, it can help prevent complications of GERD such as tooth decay caused by stomach acid.
Choice C rationale
While moderate alcohol consumption may reduce stress, it can actually worsen GERD. Alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. It can also increase stomach acid production.
Choice D rationale

Citrus foods are generally not recommended for people with GERD. They are acidic and can trigger GERD symptoms. Instead, non-citrus fruits like bananas, apples, and pears are better choices.

A. Stop the infusion of blood. B. Notify the laboratory. C. Obtain a urine specimen. D. Inform the provider.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
If a client reports chills and back pain during a blood transfusion, and their blood pressure is 80/64 mm Hg, the nurse’s first action should be to stop the infusion of blood. These symptoms could indicate an acute intravascular hemolytic transfusion reaction, and the greatest risk to the client is injury from receiving additional blood.

Choice B rationale
Notifying the laboratory is an important step in managing a transfusion reaction, but it is not the first action that should be taken.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining a urine specimen could be part of the overall assessment of the client’s condition, but it is not the first action that should be taken when a client is experiencing a potential transfusion reaction.
Choice D rationale
Informing the provider is an important step when a client is experiencing a reaction to a blood transfusion, but it is not the first action that should be taken.

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The nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a patient who continues to have issues with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Which of the following statements provides the best preventative health care education for this patient?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving one unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) due to intraoperative blood loss. The client reports chills and back pain, and their blood pressure is 80/64 mm Hg. What should be the nurse’s first action?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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