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?

Choice A Reason: "Sounds are soft and at a rate of 1/min" - This describes hypoactive bowel sounds, which are characterized by decreased motility, not hyperactive bowel sounds. Choice B Reason: "Indicates decreased motility" - This is a correct statement about hypoactive bowel sounds, not hyperactive bowel sounds. Choice C Reason: Sounds are high-pitched. Hyperactive bowel sounds are characterized by sounds that are loud and high-pitched. These sounds are often more frequent and rapid than normal bowel sounds, indicating increased motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Hyperactive bowel sounds can be associated with conditions like diarrhea or early bowel obstruction and are the opposite of hypoactive bowel sounds, which are soft and indicate decreased motility. Paralytic ileus, on the other hand, is a condition that can lead to hypoactive or absent bowel sounds. Choice D Reason: "Can be a result of a paralytic ileus" - Paralytic ileus typically results in hypoactive or absent bowel sounds, not hyperactive bowel sounds.