A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a newly licensed nurse about bowel sounds. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse use to describe hyperactive bowel sounds?

A. Can be a result of an early bowel obstruction. Hyperactive bowel sounds are characterized by loud, high-pitched, and frequent gurgling or rushing noises. They occur when there is increased intestinal motility, which can be seen in conditions such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, or the early stages of a mechanical bowel obstruction. As the obstruction progresses, bowel sounds may become hypoactive or absent. B. No sounds heard after listening for 3 to 5 min. This finding indicates absent bowel sounds, not hyperactive ones. Absent bowel sounds suggest complete bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, or peritonitis and require immediate medical evaluation. C. Sounds are soft and at a rate of 1/min. Hypoactive bowel sounds, rather than hyperactive ones, are characterized by infrequent, soft, or sluggish sounds occurring at a rate of less than 5 sounds per minute. Hypoactive bowel sounds are often associated with postoperative recovery, peritonitis, or late-stage bowel obstruction. D. Indicates decreased motility. Hyperactive bowel sounds indicate increased, not decreased, intestinal motility. Decreased motility is associated with hypoactive or absent bowel sounds, which can occur due to conditions such as ileus, bowel obstruction, or the effects of certain medications, including opioids.