HESI Fundamentals Practice Questions Related

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When assessing bowel sounds, what action should a healthcare professional take?

  • A. Listen to the bowel sounds before performing abdominal palpation
  • B. Auscultate for 2 minutes to determine if bowel sounds are present
  • C. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over each quadrant
  • D. Ask the client to cough while auscultating
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When assessing bowel sounds, it is crucial to listen before performing any palpation as palpation can alter bowel sounds. The correct technique involves placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope over each quadrant of the abdomen to listen for bowel sounds. Auscultating for at least 5 minutes is recommended to accurately determine the presence or absence of bowel sounds. Asking the client to cough is not necessary for assessing bowel sounds and may not provide relevant information. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it follows the appropriate procedure for assessing bowel sounds.