Question

The nurse is assessing a client with a small bowel obstruction who was hospitalized 24 hours ago. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately report findings indicating strangulation or perforation of the bowel, such as acute pain increases, fever, rapid heart rate, hypotension, rigidity or tenderness of the abdomen, absence of bowel sounds, severe dehydration, confusion, or signs of shock.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client with a small bowel obstruction hospitalized 24 hours ago, the nurse should report several critical findings to the healthcare provider immediately. These include symptoms indicating a possible strangulation or perforation, which are surgical emergencies. Significant findings that require immediate attention are acute increases in pain, fever, a rapid heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, rigid or tender abdomen, and the absence of bowel sounds. The presence of severe dehydration, confusion, or signs of shock such as a significant drop in blood pressure (hypotension) might indicate ongoing sepsis or severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance, which are life-threatening conditions and require urgent intervention.