RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 250 of 2368

A client had abdominal surgery yesterday. Which finding must be present before the nurse can expect the diet order to be advanced?

  1. The client reports feeling hungry
  2. The client had a large meal tray delivered
  3. The client passes gas
  4. The client has not vomited in the past hour
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Correct answer: The client passes gas

Paralytic ileus is common after surgery, so diet orders are not upgraded until the client can pass gas.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Elimination: Intestinal Obstruction or Paralytic Ileus. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026