You have assumed care of a patient who has returned after a barium enema study. When you assess the patient's bowel patterns and stools, what findings based upon the assessment of the stool would you report to the physician?
A) Large, wide stools
B) Milky white stools
C) Three stools during an 8-hour period of time
D) Stool has streaks of blood throughout the fecal material
Ans: D
Feedback: Barium has a high osmolarity and may draw fluid into the bowel, thus increasing the intraluminal contents and resulting in greater output (large stools). The barium will give the stools a milky white appearance, and it is not uncommon for the patient to experience an increase in the number of bowel movements. Blood in fecal matter is not an expected finding and the nurse should notify the physician.
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