NCLEX RN Practice Question

The correct answer is increasing ambulation, as it helps stimulate peristalsis and promotes natural bowel motility, which is often slowed after surgery. This is a first-line, non-invasive intervention that prioritizes the client's safety while addressing the issue effectively. Administering a laxative or offering an enema might be considered later if conservative measures like increased activity and hydration fail but are not initial steps. Managing oral fluid intake to avoid abdominal distension is incorrect because limiting fluids can exacerbate constipation rather than resolving it.