A nurse expects which finding when assessing the abdomen of a patient who has been unable to void for 12 hours?
A) Absent bowel sounds
B) Hyperactive bowel sounds
C) Tympanic tones over the lower abdomen
D) Dull tones over the suprapubic area

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dull tones over the suprapubic area would be found. The urine in the bladder would create a dull sound when the bladder is percussed similar to the sounds when an abdominal mass is present. Absent bowel sounds is incorrect because the bowel sounds would not be affected by a full bladder. Hyperactive bowel sounds is incorrect because the bowel sounds would not be affected by a full bladder. Tympanic tones over the lower abdomen is incorrect because tympany sound is created by gas in the abdomen.

A Nurse Expects Which Finding When Assessing the Abdomen of a Patient