The nurse cannot auscultate bowel sounds during the assessment of a client who has had a repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four days ago. The client is complaining of severe abdominal pain and the abdomen is distended. What action should the nurse take at this time?

A. While paralytic ileus can occur postoperatively, severe abdominal pain, distension, and absent bowel sounds indicate a more urgent problem. B. Reporting the findings to the surgeon is essential for timely evaluation and intervention to prevent complications like bowel obstruction or ischemia. C. Administering a stool softener is inappropriate without assessing bowel function and may worsen the condition. D. Nasogastric tube insertion may be necessary later but requires an order after surgical evaluation.