The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment and starts with inspecting the abdomen. The nurse notes a ripple-like movement over the abdomen and remembers that this may indicate a(n):

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ripple-like movements over the abdomen, also known as visible peristalsis, are often indicative of an intestinal obstruction. This occurs when the bowel is blocked and the peristaltic waves become visible as the intestines attempt to push contents past the obstruction.

The Nurse Is Performing an Abdominal Assessment and Starts with Inspecting