The LPN is auscultating for bowel sounds and hears between 3 and 4 bowel sounds per minute. This is a somewhat expected finding for which of these clients?
A. a 63-year-old female undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer
B. a 56-year-old female with dementia undergoing a swallow study
C. a 34-year-old male with a PEG tube newly admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis
D. a 45-year-old male recovering from a knee replacement under general anesthesia Correct
Rationale: Auscultating 3 to 4 bowel sounds per minute indicates decreased gastrointestinal activity, which can be expected in certain clinical scenarios.
Option D, the 45-year-old male recovering from knee replacement under general anesthesia, aligns with this finding. Post-operative patients often experience reduced bowel activity due to anesthesia and immobility.
Option A, the 63-year-old female undergoing chemotherapy, may have altered bowel sounds due to the effects of treatment, but this is less predictable than in option D.
Option B, the 56-year-old female with dementia, is not specifically linked to decreased bowel sounds and may have variable gastrointestinal function.
Option C, the 34-year-old male with a PEG tube for diabetic ketoacidosis, typically has increased bowel sounds due to the tube's stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract.
