A 62-year-old postoperative patient complains of abdominal d…
A 62-year-old postoperative patient complains of abdominal discomfort and bloating on the second day after abdominal surgery. The nurse notes absent bowel sounds, and the patient has not passed flatus or had a bowel movement since surgery. The patient reports mild nausea but no vomiting. The healthcare provider diagnoses paralytic ileus. What is the priority nursing intervention for managing this patient?