Which of the following signs/symptoms would lead the nurse to suspect the post-op client has developed a mechanical bowel obstruction? Select all that apply

Question

A) Sluggish to absent bowel sounds
B) Increase in abdominal distention
C) Nausea and vomiting
D) Rectal bleeding
E) Continuous abdominal pain

Answer 1

Ans: A, B, C, E
Feedback:
Major inciting causes of mechanical bowel obstruction include external hernia (i.e., inguinal, femoral, or umbilical) and postoperative adhesions. The major symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction are pain, absolute constipation, abdominal distention, and vomiting. With mechanical obstruction, the pain is severe and colicky, in contrast with the continuous pain and silent abdomen of paralytic ileus. Paralytic (adynamic) obstruction accompanies inflammatory conditions of the abdomen, occurs early in the course of peritonitis, and can result from chemical irritation caused by bile, bacterial toxins, electrolyte imbalances as in hypokalemia, and vascular insufficiency. The major effects (rather than causes) of both types of intestinal obstruction are abdominal distention and loss of fluids and electrolytes. The most common direct causes of peritonitis include ruptured appendix.