During the bowel assessment, which finding was observed?

During the bowel assessment, which finding was observed?

• A. Bowel sounds absent in upper quadrants.
• B. Hyperactive bowel sounds in the left lower quadrant.
• C. Bowel sounds are present in all four quadrants.
• D. Bowel sounds present only in lower quadrants.

Answer: (C)

Normal abdominal motility is shown by bowel sounds heard in all four quadrants. Hearing these sounds throughout the abdomen indicates active peristalsis and no evident obstruction or peritoneal irritation at the moment of assessment. If bowel sounds were absent in some areas, hyperactive, or limited to just one region, that would point to potential issues such as ileus, obstruction, or localized irritation. So, observing bowel sounds in all four quadrants fits with normal GI activity.

Normal abdominal motility is shown by bowel sounds heard in all four quadrants. Hearing these sounds throughout the abdomen indicates active peristalsis and no evident obstruction or peritoneal irritation at the moment of assessment. If bowel sounds were absent in some areas, hyperactive, or limited to just one region, that would point to potential issues such as ileus, obstruction, or localized irritation. So, observing bowel sounds in all four quadrants fits with normal GI activity.