What it means
The noises of the bowel at work, heard over the belly. They are described as normal (normoactive), hypoactive (fewer or quieter than normal), hyperactive (loud, frequent, rushing) or absent. Hyperactive sounds are common with diarrhea or hunger; hypoactive or absent sounds can follow abdominal surgery or happen when the bowel stops moving (ileus).
For the nurse
Listen with the diaphragm of the stethoscope in all four quadrants, before you press on the belly, because pressing can change the sounds. Listen longer before recording them as absent. After surgery, note their return along with passing gas.
In a chart
"Bowel sounds hypoactive in all four quadrants; abdomen soft, mildly distended."
At a glance
| Spanish | ruidos intestinales |
|---|---|
| Also written | bowel sounds |
Related terms
auscultation
Listening to the sounds inside the body, usually with a stethoscope.
palpation
Examining the body by touching and pressing with the hands and fingers.
distention
Swelling or stretching of a body part from pressure inside it.