A client who recently underwent abdominal surgery begins to complain of increasing abdominal pain, nausea, and a sense of fullness. Upon assessment, their abdomen appears distended, and bowel sounds are absent in all quadrants. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
Notify the healthcare provider about the findings and prepare for further diagnostic evaluation
Encourage the client to ambulate to promote bowel motility
Administer a prescribed PRN analgesic to manage the client’s abdominal pain
Monitor for additional symptoms and reassess in two hours
The symptoms described, including abdominal distension, absent bowel sounds, and nausea, are consistent with a potential paralytic ileus, a common but serious postoperative complication. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider promptly as this condition requires medical intervention, such as imaging studies, changes in diet, or even surgical management. While other options like managing pain and ambulation are important steps in postoperative care, they do not address the underlying complication. Waiting for the condition to resolve without intervention could worsen the complication.
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