An older adult has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and has recently been experiencing fecal incontinence. However, the nurse has observed no recent change in the character of the patient's stools. What is the nurse's most appropriate intervention?
A) Keep a food diary to determine the foods that exacerbate the patient's symptoms.
B) Provide the patient with a bland, low-residue diet.
C) Toilet the patient on a frequent, scheduled basis.
D) Liaise with the primary care provider to obtain an order for loperamide.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Because the patient's fecal incontinence is most likely attributable to cognitive decline, frequent toileting is an appropriate intervention. Loperamide is unnecessary in the absence of diarrhea. Specific foods are not likely to be a cause of, or solution to, this patient's health problem.
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