An older patient who had knee replacement surgery 2 days ago can only tolerate being out of bed with physical therapy once a day. Which problem should the nurse identify as a priority for this patient?

Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs. Auscultation refers to listening to the sounds produced by the lungs using a stethoscope. Ronchi and fine crackles are abnormal lung sounds that can be heard during auscultation in individuals with pneumonia.

These sounds are associated with the presence of fluid or mucus in the lungs, which is characteristic of pneumonia.

While other symptoms such as a sore throat, tympany noted on chest percussion, and a slightly elevated temperature (37.8 degrees Celsius) can be present in various respiratory conditions, the auscultation findings of ronchi or fine crackles specifically suggest an underlying lung infection like pneumonia.

A paralytic ileus is a type of bowel obstruction characterized by the impairment or absence of normal bowel motility. It occurs due to the temporary paralysis or dysfunction of the muscles that propel food and waste material through the intestines. After surgery, paralytic ileus can occur as a result of the handling of the intestines during the procedure, the effects of anesthesia, or the body's response to inflammation and trauma.

The absence of bowel sounds is a key indicator of paralytic ileus. Normally, bowel sounds are present and indicate the movement of contents through the intestines. However, in a paralytic ileus, the bowel sounds may be diminished or absent due to the lack of peristalsis (wave-like contractions that move food along the digestive tract).