There is/are positive bowel sounds.

The subject is "sounds." Which verb choice is plural?

I hope you mean vowel sounds.

Positive bowel sounds refer to the normal sounds that can be heard when listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope. These sounds are produced by the movement of the intestines as food and waste products pass through them.

To determine if there are positive bowel sounds, a healthcare provider would listen to the abdomen using a stethoscope. This is often done in a systematic manner, starting in one quadrant of the abdomen and moving to others. The provider listens for the sounds of peristalsis, which are the rhythmic contractions of the intestines that move food along the digestive tract.

To listen for bowel sounds, the following steps can be followed:

1. Make sure the patient is in a comfortable position, lying flat on their back with their abdominal muscles relaxed.
2. Warm the stethoscope by placing it against your skin for a moment to avoid any unnecessary discomfort for the patient.
3. Place the diaphragm (the larger, flat part) of the stethoscope against the skin of the patient's abdomen.
4. Start in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, moving in a clockwise direction.
5. Listen for the sounds of peristalsis, which can be described as gurgling, rumbling, or tinkling noises.
6. Count the number and assess the quality of bowel sounds. Typically, 5-35 bowel sounds per minute are considered normal.

If positive bowel sounds are heard, it indicates that the intestines are functioning normally and there is active movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. This is a reassuring finding. However, absent or decreased bowel sounds might indicate an obstruction, ileus, or other gastrointestinal issues, and further evaluation may be required. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and interpretation of bowel sounds.