A patient has hypoactive bowel sounds. The nurse knows that a ...

[swpotter12]

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]

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.

[swpotter12]

Excellent

[sailorcrescent]

TYSM