When assessing bowel sounds, the nurse:
a. uses the "bell" part of the stethoscope.
b. listens at least 15 minutes.
c. expects bowel sounds to be regular in rhythm.
d. listens for 5 minutes before noting "absent bowel sounds."
D
Bowel sounds are best heard with the diaphragm of the stethoscope and are systematically assessed in all four quadrants of the abdomen. The frequency and character of the sounds are noted. The frequency of bowel sounds has been estimated at 5 to 35 per minute, and the sounds are usually irregular. The amount of time for bowel sounds to be auscultated ranges from 30 seconds to up to 7 minutes. It is recommended that bowel sounds be assessed a minimum of 5 minutes before an assessment of absence of bowel sounds can be made.
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