A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and reports abdominal pain due to flatus. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Assist the client to ambulate in the hallway
• B. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
• C. Give oral laxatives as needed
• D. Increase fluids

Answer: (A)

Promoting passage of gas and restoring bowel motility after delivery is essential. Walking stimulates peristalsis, helping the trapped gas move through the intestines and alleviating abdominal pain from distention. That’s why assisting the client to ambulate in the hallway is the best action. Comfort measures like a heating pad don’t address the underlying motility needed to relieve flatus, and while fluids support overall hydration, they don’t promote gas passage as directly. Oral laxatives aren’t routinely used for flatus in the immediate postpartum period due to potential side effects and safety considerations.