HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

Which of the following is a sign of potential bowel obstruction?

1. Hyperactive bowel sounds

2. Hypoactive bowel sounds

3. Presence of a bruit

4. Increased abdominal girth

The correct answer is: Hypoactive bowel sounds

Hypoactive bowel sounds are indicative of a potential bowel obstruction because they suggest a reduction in intestinal activity. In the context of a bowel obstruction, the normal peristaltic movement of the intestines is hindered, leading to decreased passage of contents and consequently fewer bowel sounds. These sounds can become faint or less frequent when a segment of the bowel is obstructed, which might signal that the normal flow has been interrupted. While hyperactive bowel sounds could occur in certain scenarios, such as early in the development of an obstruction as the body attempts to compensate by increasing activity, they are not typically associated with a significant, established bowel obstruction where peristalsis might slow or cease altogether. Increased abdominal girth can also be a sign of bowel obstruction, reflecting distention due to accumulated contents, and the presence of a bruit could indicate vascular abnormalities, but neither of these is as directly relevant to the specific condition of bowel sounds as hypoactive sounds are.