The nurse is caring for a patient on a gastrointestinal unit. Which patient statement should cause the nurse the most concern?
a. "My stool has been dark green and hard to pass lately."
b. "Lately, I've had two or three loose, sticky black stools every day."
c. "Usually I move my bowels every day and the stool is light brown."
d. "My stool is soft and dark brown; I usually move my bowels twice a day."
ANS: B
The nurse should be most concerned if there were evidence of blood loss causing black tarry stools (melena). A. Stool that is dark green and hard to pass could indicate constipation caused by an iron preparation. C. D. More information is needed before becoming concerned about these descriptions.
You might also like to view...
A patient is receiving methylergonovine (Methergine) after a vaginal birth. What assessment finding by the nurse warrants immediate intervention?
A. Headache B. Nausea C. Palpitations D. Uterine cramping
A client who is being discharged has been instructed to continue with sulfonamide therapy for a week. Which of the following points should the nurse include in the teaching plan to educate the client about the therapy?
A) Discontinue dosage if symptoms of infection disappear. B) Take the drug a few minutes before a meal. C) Take any off-the-shelf medication if fever occurs. D) Ensure that all follow-up appointments are met.
The nurse is teaching a patient how to use phenylephrine HCl (Neo-Synephrine) nasal spray to treat congestion from a viral upper respiratory infection. What instruction will the nurse give the patient?
a. Stop using the medication after 3 days. b. Spray the medication into the nose while lying supine. c. Use frequently since systemic side effects do not occur. d. Use the medication with any other over-the-counter medications.
A client in the emergency department has a non-life-threatening wound. The unit is busy with other clients, families, and people in the waiting room. How should the nurse conduct an interview with this client?
1. Have the client wait until the department quiets down, as the wound is not too serious. 2. Tell the client to wait in the waiting room and fill out the paperwork. 3. Draw curtains around the client and nurse to provide as much privacy as possible. 4. Make sure the client's back is to the rest of the room so as not to be heard by passersby.