Question

a nurse is collecting data from a client who is experiencing perforation of a peptic ulcer. which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

decreased heart rate

yellowing of the skin

increased blood pressure

boardlike abdomen

Explanation:

1. Analyze "Decreased heart rate": Perforation of a peptic ulcer can lead to peritonitis and shock, which typically causes an increased (not decreased) heart rate as the body tries to compensate for fluid loss or infection. So this is incorrect.
2. Analyze "Yellowing of the skin": Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) is related to liver dysfunction or bile duct issues, not directly to peptic ulcer perforation. So this is incorrect.
3. Analyze "Increased blood pressure": In cases of peptic ulcer perforation with peritonitis or shock, blood pressure usually decreases (due to fluid loss, vasodilation) rather than increases. So this is incorrect.
4. Analyze "Boardlike abdomen": Perforation of a peptic ulcer causes leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity, leading to peritonitis. Peritonitis causes severe abdominal pain and a rigid, boardlike abdomen due to muscle spasm in the abdominal wall as a protective response. This is a classic manifestation of peptic ulcer perforation.

Answer:

Boardlike abdomen