A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Encourages oral fluid intake during waking hours is not an action that the nurse should intervene. Encouraging oral fluid intake during waking hours is a part of a bladder-training program, as it helps to maintain adequate hydration and prevent urinary tract infections. The nurse should instruct the AP to limit the client's fluid intake before bedtime, as it may cause nocturia and disrupt the bladder-training schedule.

Choice B reason: Assists the client to the bathroom every 2 hr is not an action that the nurse should intervene. Assisting the client to the bathroom every 2 hr is a part of a bladder-training program, as it helps to establish a regular pattern of voiding and reduce the risk of incontinence. The nurse should instruct the AP to gradually increase the interval between bathroom visits, as the client's bladder capacity and control improve.

Choice C reason: Offers the opportunity to urinate 15 min prior to bathing is not an action that the nurse should intervene. Offering the opportunity to urinate 15 min prior to bathing is a part of a bladder-training program, as it helps to prevent the stimulation of the micturition reflex by warm water and reduce the risk of accidental voiding. The nurse should instruct the AP to avoid giving the client diuretics, caffeine, or alcohol, as they may increase the urine output and frequency.

Choice D reason: Instructs the client to urinate whenever the urge occurs is an action that the nurse should intervene. Instructing the client to urinate whenever the urge occurs is not a part of a bladder-training program, as it does not help to improve the bladder function and may worsen the urge incontinence. The nurse should instruct the AP to teach the client some techniques to suppress the urge, such as pelvic floor exercises, deep breathing, or distraction.

Choice A reason: You should not expect your stoma to be a purple color. A purple stoma indicates ischemia or necrosis, which are serious complications that require immediate medical attention. A healthy stoma should be pink or red and moist.

Choice B reason: Your colostomy will produce formed stool, depending on the location of the colostomy. A sigmoid colostomy is located in the lower part of the large intestine, where most of the water is absorbed from the stool. Therefore, the stool from a sigmoid colostomy will be more solid and regular than from other types of colostomies.

Choice C reason: The end of the stoma will not be painful after this procedure. The stoma is made from the lining of the intestine, which does not have nerve endings that sense pain. However, the skin around the stoma may be sore or irritated from the surgery or the appliance.

Choice D reason: You will have a stoma in your left lower abdomen. A sigmoid colostomy is created by bringing the end of the sigmoid colon, which is the last segment of the large intestine, through an opening in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. The stoma is then attached to the skin and covered with an appliance that collects the stool.