A nurse is educating a patient with diabetes mellitus about diabetic retinopathy. Which of the following statements should the nurse make to the patient?

Choice A rationale
A stool guaiac test is a simple check to find blood in your stool. It involves smearing a tiny amount of your stool on a special card, which is then tested for hidden blood. This test helps detect problems like bleeding ulcers or colon cancer in an early stage when they might not show other symptoms. The stool guaiac test looks for hidden (occult) blood in a stool sample. It can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself. It is a common type of fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Guaiac is a substance from a plant that is used to coat the FOBT test cards to make them able to detect blood.
Choice B rationale
Steatorrhea refers to the presence of excess fat in the stool. While this can be a symptom of various digestive disorders, it is not what a stool guaiac test is designed to detect. The primary purpose of a stool guaiac test is to identify hidden blood in the stool, which can be an indicator of conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding or colon cancer.
Choice C rationale
While bacteria can be present in the stool and certain tests are designed to detect them, a stool guaiac test is not one of these. The stool guaiac test is specifically designed to detect the presence of hidden blood in the stool. The presence of blood can indicate a variety of conditions, including gastrointestinal bleeding or colon cancer.
Choice D rationale
Yeast can be present in the stool, and certain tests can detect it. However, a stool guaiac test is not designed to detect yeast. The primary purpose of a stool guaiac test is to identify hidden

blood in the stool, which can be an indicator of conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding or colon cancer.

Choice A rationale
Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs). High blood sugar levels can impair the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. Additionally, diabetes can cause nerve damage that affects the bladder’s ability to empty completely, allowing bacteria to grow.
Choice B rationale
Anemia itself is not a direct risk factor for UTIs. Anemia is a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, which does not contribute to the development of UTIs.
Choice C rationale
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) primarily affects the lungs and does not increase the risk of UTIs. COPD can make it harder to breathe, but it does not have a direct impact on the urinary system.

Choice D rationale
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It does not increase the risk of UTIs. Osteoporosis and UTIs are not directly related as they affect different systems within the body.