A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a history of Addison’s disease. For which of the following manifestations should the nurse monitor?

Choice A: Upper left quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The upper left quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, splenomegaly, or colon cancer.

Choice B: Lower left quadrant. This is the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease, which is a condition that involves the formation of pouches or sacs in the wall of the colon. These pouches or sacs are called diverticula, and they can become inflamed or infected, causing diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. The most common site of diverticula formation and diverticulitis is the sigmoid colon, which is located in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen.

Choice C: Upper right quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The upper right quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as hepatitis, cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, or colon cancer.

Choice D: Lower right quadrant. This is not the location where the nurse should expect the client to report abdominal pain who has diverticular disease. The lower right quadrant of the abdomen contains organs such as the appendix, cecum, and part of the colon. Abdominal pain in this area can indicate conditions such as appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, or colon cancer.

Choice A: Increase the client’s sodium intake. This is not an intervention that the nurse should recommend for inclusion in the plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis and ascites. Increasing the client’s sodium intake can worsen fluid retention and exacerbate ascites. The nurse should recommend limiting the client’s sodium intake to less than 2 g per day.

Choice B: Decrease the client’s fluid intake. This is an intervention that the nurse should recommend for inclusion in the plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis and ascites. Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that causes scarring and impaired liver function. Ascites is a complication of cirrhosis that involves the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Decreasing the client’s fluid intake can help reduce fluid retention and prevent further distension of the abdomen and pressure on the diaphragm.

Choice C: Increase the client’s saturated fat intake. This is not an intervention that the nurse should recommend for inclusion in the plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis and ascites. Increasing the client’s saturated fat intake can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and faty liver disease. The nurse should recommend a balanced diet that provides adequate protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals.

Choice D: Decrease the client’s carbohydrate intake. This is not an intervention that the nurse should recommend for inclusion in the plan of care for a client who has cirrhosis and ascites. Decreasing the client’s carbohydrate intake can cause ketosis, which is a metabolic state that occurs when the body uses fat as a fuel source instead of glucose.

Ketosis can cause nausea, fatigue, headache, and bad breath. The nurse should recommend a moderate carbohydrate intake that provides enough glucose for energy and prevents ketosis.