PCCN Progressive Care Certified Nursing

Answer: D - All of the above symptoms are of paralytic ileus except large number of bowel sounds in abdomen. The lack of bowel sounds is characteristic of paralytic ileus. Paralytic ileus is obstruction of the intestine due to paralysis of the intestinal muscles. The paralysis does not need to be complete to cause ileus, but the intestinal muscles must be so inactive that it prevents the passage of food and leads to a functional blockage of the intestine.