The nurse is caring for a client on the third day following abdominal surgery and assesses the absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. These findings indicate the client is experiencing which of the following postoperative complications?
Incisional infection
Paralytic ileus
Health care-associated Clostridium difficile
Fecal impaction
The Correct Answer is B
b. Paralytic ileus: Absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and no passage of flatus are characteristic signs of paralytic ileus, which is a temporary impairment of bowel motility following surgery.
c. Health care-associated Clostridium difficile: Clostridium difficile infection is associated with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. The absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention is not consistent with C. difficile infection.
d. Fecal impaction: Fecal impaction is characterized by a blockage of hardened stool in the
rectum or colon, leading to difficulty passing stool. It may cause abdominal discomfort, but it does not typically present with the absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention seen in paralytic ileus.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Asthma: While asthma can cause dyspnea and fatigue, it is not typically associated with tachycardia and edema.
b. Heart failure: Heart failure is characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue,
tachycardia, and edema. Tachycardia may be a compensatory response to maintain cardiac output, and edema can result from fluid retention.
c. Aortic valve regurgitation: Aortic valve regurgitation may cause symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue, but it is not typically associated with tachycardia and edema.
d. Aortic stenosis: Aortic stenosis may lead to symptoms such as dyspnea, but tachycardia and edema are not typical features of aortic stenosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
a. "The pain radiates down to my lower back." This statement is not typical of peptic ulcer
disease. Radiation of pain to the lower back may suggest other abdominal or musculoskeletal issues.
b. "I feel so much better after eating." Relief of pain after eating is more indicative of gastric ulcer rather than peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcers are often associated with pain that worsens after eating.
c. "My pain is relieved by having a bowel movement." Relief of pain with bowel movements is
not a characteristic finding of peptic ulcer disease. This may suggest other gastrointestinal issues.
d. "The pain is worse after I eat a meal high in fat." This statement is consistent with peptic ulcer disease. High-fat meals stimulate gastric acid secretion, potentially exacerbating the pain
associated with peptic ulcers.
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