During a routine health examination, a 40-year-old patient tells the nurse about a family history of colon cancer. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Teach the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
b. Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
c. Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
d. Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient.
ANS: C
The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurse's first action should be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.
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