A burse is assessing a client who is 3 days postoperative and has a nonmechanical obstruction of the small bowel. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Metabolic acidosis: Small bowel obstructions are more commonly associated with metabolic alkalosis due to loss of gastric contents from vomiting. Acidosis is less typical in the early stages of obstruction. B. Hyperactive bowel sounds: In nonmechanical (paralytic ileus) obstruction, bowel sounds are usually absent or hypoactive, not hyperactive, due to lack of peristalsis. Hyperactive sounds are more typical in early mechanical obstruction. C. Distended abdomen: Abdominal distention is a classic sign of bowel obstruction, resulting from gas and fluid accumulation above the site of obstruction. It is expected in both mechanical and nonmechanical types. D. Passing flatus: The absence of flatus is common in bowel obstruction, as bowel movement is halted. Continued passage of flatus would suggest partial or resolving obstruction, not a typical finding in active nonmechanical obstruction.