A nurse is caring for a 58-year-old patient who has been on complete bed rest for 7 days following abdominal surgery for bowel obstruction. The patient reports feeling bloated and has not had a bowel movement in 4 days. What is the most likely explanation for this patient's gastrointestinal symptoms?
- Recurrence of the bowel obstruction requiring immediate surgical intervention
- Decreased peristalsis and altered gastric motility due to prolonged immobility
- Inadequate pain management leading to voluntary suppression of defecation
- Postoperative infection causing inflammatory changes in the bowel