A nurse is assessing a client who has had diarrhea for several days. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale Hypothermia, which is a body temperature below 35 degrees C (95 degrees F), is not a typical finding with simple diarrhea. Diarrhea, especially if caused by an infectious agent, is more likely to cause a slight fever or a normal temperature as the body mounts an immune response. Severe dehydration may cause slight fluctuations, but not reliably hypothermia. Choice B rationale Decreased or hypoactive bowel sounds indicate reduced intestinal motility, which is commonly associated with an obstruction, paralytic ileus, or constipation. Diarrhea, conversely, is characterized by increased, hyperactive bowel sounds as a result of the rapid movement of intestinal contents through the gastrointestinal tract due to increased peristalsis. Choice C rationale Protracted diarrhea leads to a significant loss of water and electrolytes, primarily sodium and potassium, from the gastrointestinal tract. This loss exceeds fluid intake, resulting in extracellular fluid volume deficit, known as dehydration. Clinical signs include poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, and concentrated urine (normal urine specific gravity is 1.005 to 1.030). Choice D rationale A rigid abdomen is a critical sign of peritoneal inflammation or irritation, often indicating a serious acute condition like peritonitis, appendicitis, or a perforated viscus, which may or may not be the direct cause of the diarrhea. Simple diarrhea typically does not cause a rigid abdomen; the abdomen is usually soft and potentially distended or tender. —.