A nurse is educating a patient who has been on prolonged bed rest due to a gastrointestinal illness about the effects of immobility. The patient asks why the healthcare provider is concerned about bowel function. Which explanation should the nurse provide?
- Immobility decreases blood flow to the intestines, which can lead to increased nutrient absorption and diarrhea
- Lack of movement causes the stomach to produce excess acid, leading to gastric ulcers and bleeding
- Bed rest stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which accelerates gastric emptying and causes nausea
- Prolonged bed rest slows peristalsis and weakens abdominal muscles, increasing the risk of constipation