The absence of bowel sounds is established after listening for:
2 full minutes.
1 full minute.
5 full mutes.
1 1/2 minutes.
The Correct Answer is C
A. 2 full minutes: Listening for 2 minutes is insufficient to determine the absence of bowel sounds reliably.
B. 1 full minute: One minute is also too brief, as bowel sounds can sometimes be infrequent, especially in certain conditions.
C. 5 full minutes. The absence of bowel sounds is confirmed after listening in each quadrant for a minimum of 5 full minutes. This is necessary to ensure that the lack of sounds is not due to temporary decreased activity and is instead a true absence, which may indicate a medical emergency like a bowel obstruction.
D. 1 1/2 minutes: This time is not long enough to confirm the absence of bowel sounds accurately.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Intake and output: Although helpful, intake and output measurements can sometimes be inaccurate, as not all fluid retention may be recorded.
B. Daily weight: Daily weight measurements are the most reliable way to assess fluid retention because changes in body weight accurately reflect gains or losses in body fluid, especially in clients with chronic kidney disease.
C. Sodium level: Sodium levels can indicate fluid imbalances, but they do not directly measure fluid volume excess.
D. Skin tenting: Skin tenting is used to assess dehydration, not fluid retention, and is not a reliable measure in chronic kidney disease.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The client on peritoneal dialysis who is reporting a hard and rigid abdomen. A hard, rigid abdomen suggests peritonitis, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
B. The client who does not have a palpable thrill or auscultated bruit: This indicates a possible vascular access issue, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as peritonitis.
C. The client who is reporting a 3.6 kg weight gain and refusing dialysis: This weight gain could signal fluid overload, but refusal of dialysis would require a different approach that may not need immediate intervention unless symptoms worsen.
D. The client with a hemoglobin of 9.0 mg/dL and hematocrit of 26%: This low hemoglobin and hematocrit level may require treatment, but it is not an immediate life-threatening issue like peritonitis.