On assessment of the abdomen of a client 24 hours post–barium swallow, the nurse notes decreased bowel sounds. The client reports having had no bowel movement for 2 days. What conclusion can be drawn from these findings?

A. This is a normal finding following a barium swallow.
B. These findings may indicate a barium impaction.
C. The client requires an order for milk of magnesia.
D. The client's diet may need advancement to stimulate peristalsis.


B
Clinical manifestations such as decreased or absent bowel sounds, constipation, or obstipation after barium swallow are indicative of barium impaction and could lead to obstruction. These symptoms should be reported to the physician immediately.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

The patient has consolidation of his right lateral lower lung segments and is receiving chest physiotherapy. What position is best for draining this portion of the lung?

A) Semi-Fowler's B) Supine C) Left side-lying D) Right side-lying

Nursing

When examining the types of energy expenditure, which of the following statements is accurate?

A) People who are more active and who fidget may have less fat gain than those with decreased nonexercise activity thermogenesis. B) Parasympathetic stimulation will cause brown fat to generate more heat than other stimulations. C) Recent research indicates that obese patients with persistent excess caloric intake have decreased sympathetic activity. D) Carbohydrate intake increases the normal metabolic rate more significantly than other nutrients.

Nursing

A nurse is using Healthy People 2020 as a guide to develop community programming for mental health. Which of the following objectives for mental health would be found in this document? (Select all that apply.)

a. Reduce suicide rates b. Increase employment of persons with se-vere mental illness c. Increase the proportion of children treated for mental health problems d. Decrease the number of juvenile facilities that screen new admissions for mental health problems e. Reduce rates of violent acts against women

Nursing

Of the nursing interventions that can be used for a client who is out of control, which is least restrictive?

a. seclusion b. restraints c. drugs to sedate d. armed guards

Nursing