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A nurse is caring for a client.

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.

A.

Diarrhea

B.

Steatorrhea

C.

Weight loss

D.

Anemia

E.

Fever

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A,C"},"B":{"answers":"C"},"C":{"answers":"A,C"},"D":{"answers":"A,B,C"},"E":{"answers":"A,B,C"}}

Rationale

• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is common in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease because chronic inflammation disrupts absorption and increases motility. UC typically presents with bloody diarrhea, while Crohn’s can present with non-bloody, intermittent diarrhea. Diverticulitis more often presents with left-lower-quadrant pain and constipation rather than chronic diarrhea.

• Steatorrhea: Steatorrhea is strongly associated with Crohn’s disease due to small-bowel involvement leading to fat-malabsorption. UC affects only the colon and does not impair fat absorption, so steatorrhea is not expected. Diverticulitis is a localized colonic infection and does not interfere with digestion or absorption.

• Weight loss: Weight loss occurs in both UC and Crohn’s because chronic inflammation increases metabolic demand and reduces nutritional intake. Malabsorption in Crohn’s disease further contributes to weight loss severity. Weight loss is not typical in diverticulitis unless the condition is prolonged or severe, so it is not strongly associated.

• Anemia: Anemia appears in both UC and Crohn’s disease due to chronic blood loss, reduced intake, and inflammation-driven suppression of erythropoiesis. UC often causes iron-deficiency anemia from recurrent rectal bleeding. Crohn’s may also cause anemia due to B12 or iron malabsorption. Diverticulitis does not typically cause chronic anemia.

• Fever: Fever is a sign of active inflammation and can occur in UC, Crohn’s flares, and acute diverticulitis. UC and Crohn’s involve systemic inflammatory activity during exacerbations. Diverticulitis produces fever due to infection of the diverticulum, making fever consistent across all three in varying degrees.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "You should massage one of your nipples to stimulate contractions of your uterus.": Nipple stimulation is used to induce contractions during a contraction stress test, not a nonstress test. For a nonstress test, the goal is to assess fetal heart rate in response to fetal movements without inducing contractions.

B. "You will have a Doppler transducer applied to your abdomen during the test.": A nonstress test involves placing a Doppler transducer on the maternal abdomen to monitor fetal heart rate and a tocodynamometer to detect uterine activity. The test is noninvasive and monitors fetal heart rate accelerations in response to movement.

C. "You should avoid eating or drinking for 4 hours before the test.": Fasting is not required for a nonstress test. In fact, some providers encourage eating beforehand to promote fetal activity, which helps obtain accurate heart rate accelerations.

D. "You will need blood work before and after the test.": Blood work is not required for a nonstress test. The test relies solely on external monitoring of the fetal heart rate and maternal contractions, making it noninvasive and straightforward.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "Adolescents should increase their daily sodium intake to more than 2,800 milligrams.": This is incorrect because adolescents should limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular issues. Excess sodium intake is associated with negative health outcomes rather than benefits.

B. "Adolescents should aim to consume at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day.": This is correct because adolescents require adequate calcium to support rapid bone growth and peak bone mass development. Meeting calcium needs during adolescence helps prevent future osteoporosis and supports overall skeletal health.

C. "Adolescent males require more iron than females due to the increase in their muscle mass.": This is incorrect because adolescent females typically require more iron than males due to menstrual blood loss. Iron is essential for hemoglobin production, and females are at higher risk for iron deficiency during adolescence.

D. "Adolescent females should consume 200 micrograms of folic acid every day.": This is inaccurate because the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for folic acid in adolescents is 400 micrograms per day, not 200. Adequate folic acid is critical for DNA synthesis and overall growth during adolescence.

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