A 70-year-old female has been admitted to the hospital. The client has had nausea and vomiting for the past three days. Upon adm
ission the client is slightly confused and weak. Her vital signs are: 99 F (37.2 C), respirations 20 breaths/minute, pulse 102 beats/minute, BP 96/66 mm Hg, and her pain level is an "8"on a scale of 0-10. Breath sounds are clear bilaterally upon auscultation. Pulse oximetry is 95% on room air. Bowel sounds are absent in the right and left lower quadrants and in the left upper quadrant. Abdomen is hard and distended. When questioned as to her last bowel movement, the client responds, "I have not moved my bowels in over one week." Mucous membranes dry; skin turgor poor.
