Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postoperative following a bowel resection. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Absence of bowel sounds. This finding may indicate paralytic ileus, a common postoperative complication following abdominal surgery. It can lead to bowel obstruction and must be reported promptly to prevent further complications. Choices B, C, and D are normal postoperative findings. B indicates adequate renal perfusion, C suggests proper bowel function, and D denotes a normal body temperature.