NCLEX RN Practice Question

The symptoms described, including abdominal distension, absent bowel sounds, and nausea, are consistent with a potential paralytic ileus, a common but serious postoperative complication. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider promptly as this condition requires medical intervention, such as imaging studies, changes in diet, or even surgical management. While other options like managing pain and ambulation are important steps in postoperative care, they do not address the underlying complication. Waiting for the condition to resolve without intervention could worsen the complication.