A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which of the following implementations should the nurse recommend?

Choice A: “You shouldn’t feel any pain since the local area is anaesthetized.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not tell the client that they will not feel any pain, as this may create unrealistic expectations and increase anxiety if they do experience discomfort. The nurse should also not tell the client that the local area is anaesthetized, as this is not true. The client does not receive local anesthesia for a colonoscopy, but rather sedation and pain medication.

Choice B: “Don’t worry, you won’t remember anything about the procedure due to the effects of the medication.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not tell the client not to worry, as this may sound dismissive and insensitive to their concerns. The nurse should also not tell the client that they will not remember anything about the procedure, as this is not true. The client may receive conscious sedation for a colonoscopy, which means that they are awake but drowsy and relaxed. They may have some memory loss of the procedure, but they are not completely unconscious.

Choice C: “Most clients report more discomfort from the preparation than from the procedure itself.” This is not a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should not compare the client’s experience to other clients, as this may minimize their feelings and individual differences. The nurse should also not focus on the preparation, which involves drinking a large amount of liquid laxative to empty the colon, as this may increase anxiety and dread for the client. The nurse should instead focus on providing information and support for both the preparation and the procedure.

Choice D: “You may feel some cramping during the procedure.” This is a response that the nurse should make to the client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy, which is a diagnostic test that uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine the colon and rectum. The nurse should inform the client that they may feel some cramping during the procedure as the tube is inserted and moved through the colon. The nurse should also reassure the client that they will receive sedation and pain medication to make them comfortable and relaxed.

Choice A: Peri-umbilical area. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The peri-umbilical area is the area around the navel, which is part of the skin. The skin can show jaundice, but it may be difficult to detect in clients with dark skin tones.

Choice B: Nail beds. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The nail beds are part of the skin that can show jaundice, but they may also be affected by other factors such as anemia, cyanosis, or nail polish.

Choice C: Webbed areas of the fingers. This is not an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis. The webbed areas of the fingers are part of the skin that can show jaundice, but they may also be influenced by other factors such as temperature, circulation, or pressure.

Choice D: Hard palate. This is an area that the nurse should inspect to monitor for the presence of jaundice in a client who is African American and has cholecystitis, which is an inflammation of the gallbladder. Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Bilirubin is a pigment that is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells and is normally excreted in bile. If the gallbladder or bile ducts are inflamed or obstructed, bile cannot flow into the duodenum and bilirubin accumulates in the blood and tissues. The hard palate is a part of the oral mucosa that can show jaundice, especially in clients with dark skin tones.