A nurse is educating a patient about food and drinks that can trigger diarrhea.
Which items should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Taking the patient to the bathroom every 2 hours while the patient is awake is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. This approach does not take into account the natural rhythms of the body and the patient’s personal comfort. It may lead to unnecessary trips to the bathroom, which can be physically and emotionally draining for the patient.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. A bowel training program aims to help the patient regain control over their bowel movements. Taking the patient to the bathroom when they have the urge to defecate aligns with this goal. It allows the patient to respond to their body’s signals, which can help improve their confidence and independence over time.

Choice C rationale:

Taking the patient to the bathroom immediately before meals is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. While it’s true that eating can stimulate bowel movements due to the gastrocolic reflex, this approach does not consider the patient’s comfort or individual needs. It may also disrupt the patient’s enjoyment of their meals.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting until the patient feels abdominal cramping is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. Abdominal cramping can be a sign of constipation or other digestive issues. It’s important to address these issues separately and not rely on them as indicators for when to take the patient to the bathroom.

Choice A rationale:

Wheezing Wheezing is typically associated with respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rather than being a symptom of hyperkalemia.

Choice B rationale:

Cerebral edema Cerebral edema, or swelling in the brain, is not typically a symptom of hyperkalemia. It’s more commonly associated with traumatic brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.

Choice C rationale:

Decreased deep tendon reflexes Decreased deep tendon reflexes can be a symptom of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the potassium levels in your blood get too high. Potassium helps nerves send signals between your brain and the rest of your body. High levels of potassium can affect nerve function, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness or decreased reflexes. Choice D rationale:

Hypoactive bowel sounds Hypoactive bowel sounds, or decreased or absent bowel sounds, are typically associated with conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, such as ileus or bowel obstruction. They are not typically a symptom of hyperkalemia.