The nurse is caring for a patient on a gastrointestinal unit. The nurse would be most concerned if a patient reported which of the following?
a. "My stool is soft and dark brown; I usually move my bowels twice a day."
b. "Lately, I've had two or three loose, sticky black stools every day."
c. "My stool has been dark green and hard to pass lately."
d. "Usually I move my bowels every day and the stool is light brown."
ANS: B
The nurse would be most concerned if there were evidence of blood loss causing black tarry stools (melena).
You might also like to view...
Which statement about acronyms in nutrition is accurate?
a. Dietary reference intakes (DRIs) consist of RDAs, adequate intakes (AIs), and upper limits (ULs). b. Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are the same as ULs, except with bet-ter data. c. AIs offer guidelines for avoiding excessive amounts of nutrients. d. They all refer to green, leafy vegetables; whole grains; and fruit.
The nurse should be sure to have which drug on the unit when the client is receiving intra-venous heparin?
A. Aspirin B. Vitamin K C. Streptokinase D. Protamine sulfate
Which statements are true regarding the ileogastric reflex?
a. The purpose of ileogastric reflex is to inhibit gastric motility. b. Ileum distension triggers the ileogastric reflex. c. The ileogastric reflex causes the relaxation of the ileocecal sphincter. d. Increased gastric secretion triggers the ileogastric reflex. e. The ileogastric reflex stimulates an increase in ileal motility.
Which of the following is the appropriate intervention to avoid physical dependence on drugs in a client?
a) Administer adjuvant drugs along with the prescribed drug. b) Increase dosage of the drug. c) Discontinue drugs gradually. d) Administer subtherapeutic doses.