The nurse plans care for a client recovering from a Whipple procedure. The nurse notes a distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds, and the client denies passing flatus. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Rationale: A. Deep breathing exercises are important for preventing postoperative pulmonary complications, but they do not address bowel obstruction or ileus, which are indicated by abdominal distention, absent bowel sounds, and no flatus. B. Oral intake is contraindicated in the presence of absent bowel sounds and abdominal distention after a Whipple procedure, as it can worsen nausea, vomiting, and risk of aspiration. Oral fluids should only be advanced once bowel function returns. C. The client’s signs—abdominal distention, absent bowel sounds, and no flatus—indicate postoperative paralytic ileus or small bowel obstruction, common after a Whipple procedure. A nasogastric (NG) tube decompresses the stomach and intestines, relieves nausea and vomiting, prevents aspiration, and reduces abdominal distention until normal bowel function resumes. Ensuring the NG tube remains patent is a priority nursing intervention. D. Laxatives are contraindicated when bowel sounds are absent, as stimulating bowel activity before the resolution of ileus or obstruction can cause bowel perforation or severe abdominal pain.