A nurse is caring for a client and is concerned that the client might have a fecal impaction. Which of the following is the most important question for the nurse to ask?
"What types of foods have you been eating?”
"Are you using stool softeners or laxatives?”
"Have you been passing gas?”
"Have you had small liquid stools?”
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice d. “Have you had small liquid stools?”
Choice A rationale:
While knowing the types of foods the client has been eating can provide insight into dietary habits that may contribute to constipation, it is not the most direct question to identify a fecal impaction.
Choice B rationale:
Asking about the use of stool softeners or laxatives is relevant to understanding the client’s bowel management, but it does not directly indicate the presence of a fecal impaction.
Choice C rationale:
Passing gas can indicate that there is some bowel movement, but it does not confirm or rule out a fecal impaction.
Choice D rationale:
Small liquid stools can be a sign of fecal impaction, as liquid stool may leak around the impacted mass. This makes it the most important question to ask when suspecting a fecal impaction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: "Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides."
Choice A rationale:
This statement is correct. The nurse should instruct the client to stand with their feet together and their arms at their sides for a Romberg test. This position helps to assess the client's ability to maintain balance with minimal sensory input, evaluating their proprioception and vestibular function.
Choice B rationale:
The instruction about the tuning fork is unrelated to the Romberg test. The tuning fork is commonly used to assess hearing and vibratory sensations, not balance.
Choice C rationale:
This statement is unrelated to the Romberg test. Mentioning the lateral side of the foot suggests a neurological examination related to assessing reflexes, such as the Babinski reflex.
Choice D rationale:
This instruction pertains to a different test known as the "finger-to-nose" test, which is used to assess coordination, not balance.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D: "Provide mouth care to them at least every 2 hours."
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging meals at least three times daily is not appropriate for a client who is near death. As clients approach the end of life, their appetite often decreases, and they may be unable to tolerate regular meals. It's more important to focus on providing comfort and relief.
Choice B rationale:
Keeping the room warm to help them breathe easier is not necessarily true. While a comfortable room temperature can be important for the client's overall comfort, warmth alone does not significantly impact breathing in the context of impending death. Breathing difficulties at this stage are usually related to physiological changes rather than room temperature.
Choice C rationale:
Helping the client onto their left side if they are experiencing nausea is not a universally applicable instruction. While left-side positioning can help alleviate nausea for some clients, it might not be suitable for everyone. Nausea can be caused by various factors, and the caregiver should assess the client's comfort and preferences before changing their position.
Choice D rationale:
Providing mouth care to the client at least every 2 hours is the most appropriate instruction among the choices. Near the end of life, many clients become less able to maintain their oral hygiene due to various factors, including weakness and reduced consciousness. This can lead to discomfort and potential complications. Regular mouth care helps keep the client's mouth moist and clean, enhancing their overall comfort.
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