Author Question: A patient has hypoactive bowel sounds. The nurse knows that a potential cause of hypoactive bowel ... (Read 33 times)

swpotter12 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient has hypoactive bowel sounds. The nurse knows that a potential cause of hypoactive bowel sounds is:

a. Diarrhea.
b. Peritonitis.
c. Laxative use.
d. Gastroenteritis.

Question 2

While examining a patient, the nurse observes abdominal pulsations between the xiphoid process and umbilicus. The nurse would suspect that these are:

a. Pulsations of the renal arteries.
b. Pulsations of the inferior vena cava. c.
Normal abdominal aortic pulsations.
d. Increased peristalsis from a bowel obstruction.

matt95 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Diminished or absent bowel sounds signal decreased motility from inflammation as exhibited with peritonitis, with paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery, or with late bowel obstruction.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Normally, the pulsations from the aorta are observed beneath the skin in the epigastric area, particularly in thin persons who have good muscle wall relaxation.