The nurse is conducting an assessment on a client who is 36 hours postoperative following an appendectomy. During the assessment, the nurse is unable to hear any bowel sounds. The client denies passing flatus (gas). Given this information, which action is most appropriate by the nurse?
Encouraging the client to increase intake of foods that contain high fat to increase GI motility.
Encouraging the client to increase solid food intake to promote peristalsis.
Encouraging the client to increase intake of foods that contain fiber.
Withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned.
The Correct Answer is D
Withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned. This is because the client may have postoperative ileus (POI), which is a reduction of gastrointestinal motility after abdominal surgery. POI is characterized by abdominal distension, lack of bowel sounds, accumulation of gas and fluids in the bowel, and delayed passage of flatus and stools.
Giving food and fluids to a client with POI may worsen the condition and cause complications.
Choice A is wrong because high fat foods may slow down GI motility and increase the risk of constipation.
Choice B is wrong because solid food intake may also aggravate POI and cause abdominal discomfort.
Choice C is wrong because fiber intake may increase gas production and distension in the bowel. The nurse should auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds, and if they are present, or the client reports passing flatus, clear fluids can commence, and aperients can be administered. However, bowel sounds are not a reliable indicator of the end of POI, as they may not be associated with the time of first flatus.
Therefore, withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned is the most appropriate action by the nurse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is because the fight-or-flight response activates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the pupils to dilate to allow more light and improve vision.
Choice A is wrong because the fight-or-flight response increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate.
Choice B is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes bronchial airway dilation to allow more oxygen intake and facilitate breathing.
Choice C is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes hyperglycemia by stimulating the release of glucose from the liver and muscles to provide energy.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, for blood glucose are 70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL, and for pupil size are 2 mm to 6 mm.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The Nurse Practice Act is a law that outlines the legal scope of practice for nursing in each state. It defines the roles, functions, responsibilities and activities that a nurse is educated, competent and authorized to perform. The Nurse Practice Act also establishes the regulatory bodies that create and implement rules and regulations to protect the public.
Choice B. Nursing process is wrong because it is a systematic method of providing nursing care, not a legal document that defines the scope of practice.
Choice C. Code of Ethics is wrong because it is a set of principles that guide the moral and professional conduct of nurses, not a legal document that defines the scope of practice.
Choice D. Facility policies and procedures are wrong because they are specific guidelines for each healthcare organization, not a legal document that defines the scope of practice.
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