77-year-old resident of a skilled nursing care facility is brought to the emergency department because of fever and vomiting for the past 2 daysShe is alert but is unable to give a historyShe asks repeatedly for a drink of waterHer temperature is 38.60C (1 01.50F), and blood pressure is 100/60 mm HgExamination shows a distended, nontender abdomen with sparse high-pitched bowel soundsA supine x-ray of the abdomen shows multiple dilated loops of small bowel and gas within the small-bowel lumen and within the liverWhich of the following is the most likely cause of these findings
a. Small bowel obstruction
b. Gastroenteritis
c. Liver abscess
d. Sepsis