During abdominal auscultation of an older adult, which range of gurgles should the nurse expect?

During abdominal auscultation, a normal finding for bowel sounds in an older adult is typically five to thirty-five gurgles per minute. This range indicates that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is functioning appropriately and demonstrates normal peristaltic activity, which is essential for digestion and absorption.

In older adults, changes in the gastrointestinal system can occur due to various factors such as decreased motility, changes in diet, and the effects of medications. Therefore, it's important for healthcare providers to be familiar with normal and expected bowel sounds to detect potential abnormalities. A rate of five to thirty-five gurgles per minute falls within the standard range for active bowel sounds, suggesting that the intestines are working as they should.

Other ranges provided in the choices, such as one to five gurgles per minute or thirty-six to sixty gurgles per minute, do not typically represent normal bowel function. A rate lower than five could indicate hypoactive bowel sounds, which may suggest reduced GI activity or pathology. A rate higher than thirty-five could indicate hyperactive bowel sounds, which might occur during diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disturbances. No sounds, or "none heard," could be a sign of an obstruction or severe hypotonicity, which is also not within the