2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
A nurse assisting with data collection is preparing to auscultate the client's bowel sounds. The client tells the nurse that he ate lunch just 45 minutes ago. On the basis of this information, which finding does the nurse expect to note?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Auscultating bowel sounds shortly after a meal typically reveals gurgling sounds, indicating active digestion and peristalsis.
Option B, hypoactive sounds, suggest decreased intestinal activity, which is unlikely just after eating. Option C, low-pitched sounds, may occur but are not the primary expectation immediately following a meal. Option D, an absence of sounds, would indicate a concerning condition that is not expected after food intake. Therefore, gurgling sounds are the most appropriate finding, reflecting normal gastrointestinal function post-meal.