A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with an obstruction of the common bile duct resulting from chronic cholecystitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Steatorrhea:

Steatorrhea refers to the presence of excessive fat in the stool. If a healthcare provider suspects malabsorption or fat digestion issues, they might order a fecal fat test to assess the amount of fat in the stool. This test is different from a guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), which is designed to detect blood.

B. Parasites:

The detection of parasites in the stool involves specific testing methods, such as microscopic examination of stool samples or specialized tests aimed at identifying the presence of parasitic organisms. A guaiac fecal occult blood test is not designed to detect parasites; its primary purpose is to identify occult (hidden) blood.

C. Blood:

A stool test for guaiac is specifically designed to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the stool. The guaiac test involves placing a small sample of stool onto a test card containing guaiac, and a color change indicates the presence of blood. This test is commonly used to screen for gastrointestinal bleeding.

D. Bacteria:

Detecting bacteria in the stool typically involves stool cultures or specific tests designed to identify bacterial infections or imbalances in the gut microbiota. The guaiac test is not intended for detecting bacteria; its primary focus is on identifying the presence of blood in the stool.

A. Is used to replace fluid loss.

Isotonic solutions, such as normal saline (0.9% NaCl) and lactated Ringer's solution, are used to replace fluid loss in situations such as dehydration, surgery, trauma, or other conditions where there is a need for fluid resuscitation.

B. Usually do not provide calories.

Isotonic solutions typically do not contain calories. They are designed primarily for fluid replacement and do not contribute to the nutritional needs of the patient.

C. Does not expand intravascular volume.

This statement is incorrect. Isotonic solutions are used to expand intravascular volume. When infused into the bloodstream, isotonic solutions help restore and maintain adequate blood volume. They do not cause significant shifts of fluids between compartments.

D. Mostly do not provide free water.

Isotonic solutions generally do not provide free water. They have the same osmolality as body fluids, meaning that they do not cause a net movement of water into or out of cells, and they maintain the osmotic balance.

E. Has the same osmolality as body fluids.

Isotonic solutions have the same osmolality as body fluids, which means they do not cause a net movement of water into or out of cells. This characteristic makes them suitable for situations where there is a need to expand intravascular volume without causing significant shifts in fluid compartments.