The nurse is monitoring a female client with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer.. A rigid, board-like abdomen

The nurse is monitoring a female client with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer. Which assessment findings would most likely indicate perforation of the ulcer?
a. Bradycardia
b. Numbness in the legs
c. Nausea and vomiting
d. A rigid, board-like abdomen

Answer D.
Perforation of an ulcer is a surgical emergency and is characterized by sudden, sharp, intolerable severe pain beginning in the midepigastric area and spreading over the abdomen, which becomes rigid and board-like. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Tachycardia may occur as hypovolemic shock develops. Numbness in the legs is not an associated finding.