A 32-Year-Old Female Undergoes an Appendectomy Without Complications, but Has

question 23

Multiple Choice

A 32-year-old female undergoes an appendectomy without complications, but has markedly reduced bowel sounds and an absence of flatus or defecation during the immediate postoperative period. Which of the following mechanisms best explains this decrease in bowel sounds?

• A) Decreased sympathetic activity to the gut
• B) Increased activity of the gastrocolic reflex
• C) Increased parasympathetic activity to the gut
• D) Increased plasma acetylcholine concentration
• E) Increased plasma norepinephrine concentration

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Definitions:

Neurocognitive Disorders

A category of mental health disorders that primarily affect cognitive abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving.

Pseudo-dementia

A condition that mimics the symptoms of dementia but is actually caused by other psychiatric disorders, such as depression.

Cortical Degeneration

It refers to the progressive loss of brain cells in the cerebral cortex, a part of the brain that plays key roles in memory, attention, perception, cognition, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness.

Depressive Disorders

A group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities.