What symptom is most commonly associated with bowel obstruction?

Decreased bowel sounds are most commonly associated with bowel obstruction due to the disruption in normal bowel motility. In cases of bowel obstruction, the affected portion of the intestine may become distended with gas and fluid, leading to an absence of peristalsis. This lack of movement results in decreased or absent bowel sounds when auscultating the abdomen.

While fever and chills might indicate an infection or inflammation, and diarrhea and dehydration can occasionally occur depending on the type of obstruction, they are not classic symptoms of bowel obstruction. Constipation typically occurs in bowel obstruction; however, weight gain is not a symptom associated with this condition, as obstructions often lead to weight loss due to consequences such as vomiting or anorexia. Thus, decreased bowel sounds are the hallmark sign that best represents the physiological changes occurring in the body during a bowel obstruction.