Which patient should the nurse assess most closely for an ileus?

An ileus, which is a condition characterized by a complete or partial blockage of the intestine, often requires careful assessment in patients who may experience disruptions in bowel function. Among the choices provided, the patient who underwent surgery for bowel disease and anesthesia is the one most likely to develop an ileus, necessitating close observation.

Postoperative patients are at a high risk for ileus for multiple reasons. Surgical manipulation of the intestines can lead to temporary loss of peristalsis due to trauma or irritation of the bowel, which is further exacerbated by the effects of anesthesia. Anesthesia can slow down gastrointestinal motility and disrupt the normal peristaltic activity necessary for bowel function. Therefore, this scenario makes it imperative for the nurse to closely monitor for signs and symptoms of ileus, such as abdominal distention, absence of bowel sounds, and patient reports of pain or inability to pass gas.

In contrast, while fecal impaction and chronic cathartic abuse do affect bowel function, they are not direct causes of an ileus in the same way that surgical intervention is. Suppression of hydrochloric acid due to medication does not directly lead to an ileus either, although it may have other gastrointestinal implications. Thus, the focus on postoperative