Gastrointestinal Diseases NCLEX Review Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal Diseases NCLEX Review Questions related questions and content

A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 days postoperative following abdominal surgery and notes the absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?

  • A. Ulcerative colitis
  • B. Cholecystitis
  • C. Paralytic ileus
  • D. Wound dehiscence
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paralytic ileus. After abdominal surgery, the bowel can temporarily stop functioning due to anesthesia, handling of the intestines, or inflammation. This leads to absent bowel sounds, distention, and no flatus passage. Ulcerative colitis (A) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, not related to postoperative findings. Cholecystitis (B) is inflammation of the gallbladder, typically presenting with right upper quadrant pain. Wound dehiscence (D) is the separation of surgical incision edges, not related to bowel function.