A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours (since surgery). He is restless and complains of abdominal pain. How and what would the nurse assess before administering pain medications?
A) Check database for last bowel movement.
B) Auscultate abdomen for bowel sounds.
C) Percuss abdomen for sounds of tympany.
D) Palpate abdomen for distended bladder.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient has not voided for 8 hours since surgery and is experiencing abdominal pain, which could possibly indicate a distended bladder. Palpating the abdomen for a distended bladder would be the most appropriate assessment before administering pain medications. Checking the database for last bowel movement, auscultating the abdomen for bowel sounds, and percussing the abdomen for sounds of tympany are not relevant assessments for determining if the patient has a distended bladder.

A Postoperative Patient Has Not Voided for 8 Hours (Since