Forty-eight hours after a nephrectomy, a client complains of increasing nausea and abdominal pressure. The nurse's first nursing action is to:
A)Change the client's position to relieve abdominal pressure
B)Auscultate bowel sounds
C)Insert a rectal tube to relieve flatus
D)Administer morphine SO4, 6 mg, as ordered for the relief of discomfort

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Auscultate bowel sounds. Though nausea may occur following the administration of narcotics, if it is accompanied by the absence of bowel sounds and upper abdominal distention, gastric or small-intestine dilation should be suspected and the nurse's findings reported to the physician.

Forty-Eight Hours After a Nephrectomy, a Client Complains of Increasing