Question

The nurse is listening to bowel sounds. Which of the following is true of bowel sounds?

Option 1: They are usually loud, high-pitched, rushing, tinkling sounds.
Option 2: They are usually high-pitched, gurgling, irregular sounds.
Option 3: They sound like "two pieces of leather being rubbed together."
Option 4: They originate from the movement of air and fluid through the large intestine.

Answer 1

Bowel sounds are usually high-pitched, gurgling, irregular sounds, which are listened to by nurses as a normal function of peristalsis in the intestines.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is listening to bowel sounds, they are typically paying attention to noises produced by the movement of air and fluids in the intestines. Among the options provided, the one that is most accurate is Option 2: Bowel sounds are usually high-pitched, gurgling, irregular sounds. These sounds occur as a result of peristalsis, which is the movement of digested food through the intestines and is a normal aspect of gastrointestinal function. Option 1, describing sounds as loud, high-pitched, rushing, tinkling, could indicate a blockage or an increased motility, such as in cases of diarrhea or early bowel obstruction. Option 3, describing sounds like rubbing leather, does not typically describe bowel sounds. Option 4 is partially true, as the bowel sounds originate from movement through both the small and large intestines, not just the large intestine.