A nurse is caring for a patient who is 2 days postoperative from abdominal surgery.
The patient reports discomfort from abdominal distension and flatus. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a protein used as a tumor marker, particularly for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not directly related to volume depletion caused by gastrointestinal illnesses.
Choice B rationale
B12 level is important for nerve function and the formation of red blood cells. It is not directly related to volume depletion caused by gastrointestinal illnesses.
Choice C rationale
Electrolyte imbalance is the correct answer. Gastrointestinal illnesses often cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to significant loss of fluids and electrolytes.
Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial in these cases to prevent complications related to volume depletion.

Choice D rationale
Hemoglobin level is an indicator of the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. While it is an important lab value, it is not the most relevant in the context of volume depletion due to gastrointestinal illnesses.

Choice A rationale
CEA is not a chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy drugs are medications used to treat cancer, while CEA is a protein that can be measured in the blood.
Choice B rationale
CEA is not a surgical procedure. It’s a type of protein in the body that can be measured through a blood test.
Choice C rationale
CEA is not a tumor suppressor gene. Tumor suppressor genes are genes that regulate cell division and prevent the formation of tumors, while CEA is a protein that can be present in higher amounts in people with certain types of cancer.
Choice D rationale
CEA is a blood test used to detect and monitor certain types of cancer. It’s often used in people who’ve been previously diagnosed with certain types of cancer, most commonly colorectal cancer.