The nurse enters the room of an adult client who complains of postoperative abdominal pain. the client states that the pain is severe, but is relieved some when she gets up to go the bathroom. what is the nurse's best determination based on this assessment?

It  could be several things.  Her stitches might be pulling a little and when she is up the pressure is off her incision.  Maybe it feels better when her bladder/bowels are empty.  Usually postop, the patients are encouraged to get up and move about.  They don't want to at first but always say they do feel better once they are up.  I'm a nurse and I see this a lot.