The nurse can detect no bowel sounds on a patient recovering from bowel surgery. What should the nurse suspect is occurring in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lack of bowel sounds in a patient recovering from bowel surgery may indicate a paralytic ileus, which is a temporary cessation of peristalsis due to the handling of the bowel during surgery. This can lead to accumulation of gas and fluid, causing abdominal distension and discomfort. Atonic bowel is a chronic condition characterized by a lack of tone in the colon muscles, but it is not typically associated with surgery. Borborygmi is a term used to describe loud bowel sounds, which would not be present in this situation. Hyperactive bowel sounds may be heard in some conditions such as diarrhea or gastroenteritis, but not in the case of a paralytic ileus.

The Nurse Can Detect No Bowel Sounds on a Patient