he nurse is caring for a client on the third day following abdominal surgery and assesses the absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. These findings indicate the client is experiencing which of the following postoperative complications?

A. Paralytic ileus: Paralytic ileus occurs when intestinal motility is temporarily lost after surgery. Clinical findings include absent bowel sounds, distention, and no flatus or stool, requiring monitoring and supportive care. B. Incisional infection: Infection would present with erythema, warmth, purulent drainage, or fever rather than absent bowel sounds or lack of flatus. C. Fecal impaction: Fecal impaction usually occurs in the lower bowel, often causing hard stools and discomfort. It is unlikely on postoperative day 3 with absent bowel sounds throughout the abdomen. D. Health care–associated Clostridium difficile: C. difficile infection typically causes diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever, not absence of bowel sounds or flatus.