Question

The nurse completed the following assessment: 63-year-old female patient has had abdominal pain for 6 days. She reports not having a bowel movement for 4 days, whereas she normally has a bowel movement every 2 to 3 days. She has not been hospitalized in the past. Her abdomen is distended. She reports being anxious about upcoming tests. Her temperature was 37° C, pulse 82 and regular, blood pressure 128/72. Which of the following data form a cluster, showing a relevant pattern? (Select all that apply.)

a.Vital sign results
b.Abdominal distention
c.Age of patient
d.Change in bowel elimination pattern
e.Abdominal pain
f.No past history of hospitalization

Answer 1

Abdominal distention, change in bowel elimination pattern, and abdominal pain are the data that cluster together, indicating a potential gastrointestinal problem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The data that form a cluster, showing a relevant pattern related to the patient's condition, are abdominal distention, change in bowel elimination pattern, and abdominal pain. The patient's vital sign results do not indicate an acute issue, the age of the patient is not directly relevant to the cluster of symptoms, and the lack of past hospitalization does not form a current pattern with her symptoms. Abdominal distention, changes in bowel habit, and abdominal pain can be indicative of an underlying gastrointestinal issue that warrants further investigation.