While collecting a health history on a patient admitted for colon cancer, which of the following questions would be a priority to ask this patient?
a. "Have you noticed any blood in your stool?"
b. "Have you been experiencing nausea?"
c. "Do you have back pain?"
d. "Have you noticed any swelling in your abdomen?"
ANS: A
Early colon cancer is often asymptomatic, with occult or frank blood in the stool being an assessment finding in a patient diagnosed with colon cancer. If pain is present, it is usually lower abdominal cramping. Constipation and diarrhea are more frequent findings than nausea or ascites.
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