A Patient Undergoes a Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I)for Treatment of a Perforated

A patient undergoes a gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I) for treatment of a perforated ulcer.Postoperative orders include morphine with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device and NPO status with low,intermittent NG suction in addition to IV fluids and antibiotics.Twenty four hours after the patient returns to the surgical unit,she complains of increasing abdominal pain.The nursing assessment reveals absence of bowel sounds and 200 mL of bright-red NG drainage in the last hour.What is the most appropriate nursing action?

A) Notify the physician.
B) Irrigate the NG tube per orders.
C) Assess the patient's use of the PCA.
D) Splint the abdomen to relieve pressure on the incision.