A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who has constipation after receiving opioid medication for incisional pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Auscultate the client's abdomen for bowel sounds.
Provide the client privacy with a set time to defecate.
Administer a fiber-based laxative to the client.
Encourage the client to increase oral intake of fluids.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice A. Auscultate the client's abdomen for bowel sounds. This is the first action the nurse should take because it provides information about the client's bowel motility and function. Opioid medications can decrease bowel motility and cause constipation. The nurse should assess the client's abdomen before implementing any interventions.
- Choice B is not correct because providing privacy and a set time to defecate is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
- Choice C is not correct because administering a fiber-based laxative is a pharmacological intervention that can help treat constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid intake and preference before giving a laxative.
- Choice D is not correct because encouraging the client to increase oral intake of fluids is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid balance and medical condition before giving fluids.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Clients with a left-sided stroke will have neurological deficits on the right side of the body, including paralysis or weakness. Impaired speech, language, and cognition are also possible. Blood pressure, temperature, and laboratory results may be affected by the stroke, but they are not specific to a left-sided stroke.
Option A, "Blood pressure," is incorrect because it may be affected by the stroke, but it is not specific to a left-sided stroke.
Option B, "Temperature," is incorrect because it may be affected by the stroke, but it is not specific to a left-sided stroke.
Option D, "Laboratory results," is incorrect because they may be affected by the stroke, but they are not specific to a left-sided stroke.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D, Describe the food placement as though the plate were a clock. When delivering the client's meal tray, the nurse should describe the food placement as though the plate were a clock to help the client know where the food is located. This helps the client be more independent and participate actively at mealtime. Choice A is incorrect because arranging for assistive personnel to feed the client may take away the client's independence. Choice B is incorrect because discouraging conversations during the client's mealtime may make the client feel isolated. Choice C is incorrect because providing the client with small-handled adaptive utensils may not help the client locate food on the plate.
Other choices:
A. Arrange for assistive personnel to feed the client: Arranging for assistive personnel to feed the client may take away the client's independence.
B. Discourage conversations during the client's mealtime: Discouraging conversations during the client's mealtime may make the client feel isolated.
B. Provide the client with small-handled adaptive utensils: Providing the client with small-handled adaptive utensils may not help the client locate food on the plate.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.