Final answer:
The nurse should hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope lightly against the abdomen in each quadrant to accurately assess bowel sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
To accurately assess bowel sounds, a nurse should hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope lightly against the abdomen in each quadrant (option b). Using light pressure ensures that sounds are transmitted better and that external pressure does not interfere with the ability to hear internal bodily sounds. The proper technique for assessing bowel sounds differs from the methodology used for cardiac auscultation, where different heart valves would be heard by placing the bell of the stethoscope at specified points on the chest. It is also noted that sound is transmitted more effectively through direct contact, as is reasonably assumed in physics when discussing the effectiveness of a stethoscope. Auscultation techniques may vary depending on the system being examined and the purpose of the assessment, such as for heart murmurs where patients might be asked to breathe deeply.