Borborygmi: Documenting Loud Bowel Sounds

Health Assessment & Documentation · Question from the ATI PN Fundamentals 2023 Proctored Exam study set

Correct answer: Borborygmi

Why this is the answer

Borborygmi is the correct clinical term for loud, gurgling/growling bowel sounds caused by fluid and gas movement during increased peristalsis.

The bigger concept

Precise terminology is part of documentation standards. Bowel sounds are charted as normal (5–30 per minute), hypoactive, hyperactive, or absent, and borborygmi is the specific term for the loud, audible gurgling of hyperactive peristalsis. Hyperactive sounds are expected with hunger, diarrhea, or early bowel obstruction; the PN/VN documents the term and location and reports a change from the client's baseline to the RN.

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