Assessment of Post-Surgery Bowel Condition

A nurse is assessing a patient who has recently undergone abdominal surgery. The patient has a nasogastric tube in place and has been reporting discomfort related to bowel elimination. The nurse notes that the patient has not had a bowel movement since the surgery and suspects that the patient may be experiencing __________ (fill in the blank) due to the surgical procedure.

It is important for the nurse to understand that this condition can lead to complications if not addressed appropriately. To manage this condition, the nurse should monitor the patient’s bowel sounds and may need to implement interventions such as administering laxatives or encouraging ambulation.