The client calls the nurse and is very frantic. "I think something is wrong! My stools are black, and they have never been this color before!" The client is receiving ferrous sulfate (Feosol). What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "This is an expected side effect of ferrous sulfate (Feosol); it is okay."
2. "This sounds serious; you may have started bleeding again."
3. "Do you have hemorrhoids? That could be the problem."
4. "I will speak with your doctor and call you right back."
1
Rationale 1: Ferrous sulfate (Feosol) will turn stools a harmless, dark green or black color; this is an expected side effect of the medication.
Rationale 2: To tell a client that this sounds serious is non-therapeutic, as the nurse should know that black stools are an expected side effect of the drug.
Rationale 3: Hemorrhoids are unlikely the problem; they would cause bright red color in the stool.
Rationale 4: There is no need to call the physician; this is an expected side effect of the drug.
Global Rationale: Ferrous sulfate (Feosol) will turn stools a harmless, dark green or black color; this is an expected side effect of the medication. To tell a client that this sounds serious is non-therapeutic, as the nurse should know that black stools are an expected side effect of the drug. Hemorrhoids are unlikely the problem; they would cause bright red color in the stool. There is no need to call the physician; this is an expected side effect of the drug.
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