The day after surgery, a patient asks a nurse, "Why do the nurses keep listening to my abdomen? That's not where I had surgery." Which of the following responses best answers the patient's question?
"Listening to your bowel sounds is just part of the physical assessment, so it's nothing you need to worry about. It will only take me a few minutes to listen; then I'll let you rest."
"Your surgeon has written orders to assess your abdomen every 4 hours. I'm sorry if it worries you, but I must do my job."
"General anesthesia puts everything to sleep, including the bowel, so it is important to determine when bowel sounds have returned."
"We listen so we can let your surgeon know your gastrointestinal system wasn't damaged by the anesthesia."
The Correct Answer is C
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
No explanation
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A.
Choice A rationale: A pale blue stoma indicates compromised perfusion or necrosis. This is a surgical emergency requiring immediate assessment to prevent tissue death and systemic complications.
Choice B rationale: Continuous drainage may reflect normal output depending on stoma type. It’s not immediately life-threatening and doesn’t require urgent intervention.
Choice C rationale: Fecal contamination is expected with colostomies. While hygiene is important, this does not indicate a critical issue needing priority care.
Choice D rationale: A beefy red, moist stoma is the expected healthy appearance of a functioning colostomy. No intervention is needed.
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