Which action by the nurse is appropriate when determining if bowel sounds are absent during the patient assessment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Auscultating the abdomen for five minutes is the appropriate action to determine if bowel sounds are absent. Bowel sounds may take up to five minutes to be heard in some patients, so it is important to listen for an adequate amount of time before determining if bowel sounds are absent. Palpating, inspecting, and percussing the abdomen do not provide information about bowel sounds.

Which Action by the Nurse Is Appropriate When Determining If