2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to auscultate for the presence of bowel sounds in a client who has just undergone surgery. The nurse places the stethoscope in which abdominal quadrant first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Auscultation for bowel sounds typically begins in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) because this area houses the ileocecal valve, where the small intestine meets the large intestine. Sounds from this region are often more pronounced, making it an ideal starting point.
- **A: Left upper quadrant**: This area is less likely to yield immediate sounds post-surgery, as it is further from the ileocecal valve.
- **B: Left lower quadrant**: While important, this quadrant is not the first choice for auscultation, as sounds may be less pronounced immediately after surgery.
- **C: Right upper quadrant**: This quadrant contains the liver and gallbladder, but bowel sounds are typically not as prominent here compared to the RLQ.
Starting in the RLQ ensures a more effective assessment of bowel activity.