A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for a bowel-training program following a spinal cord injury.
Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Encourage a maximum fluid intake of 1,500 mL per day.
Increase the amount of refined grains in the client’s diet.
Provide the client with a cold drink prior to defecation.
Administer a cathartic suppository 30 min prior to scheduled defecation times.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Administer a cathartic suppository 30 min prior to scheduled defecation times. This is because a cathartic suppository stimulates the nerve endings in the rectum, causing a contraction of the bowel and facilitating defecation. This is especially helpful for clients who have an upper motor neuron or reflexic bowel, which means they have lost the ability to feel when the rectum is full and have a tight anal sphincter muscle. A
bowel program is a way of controlling or moving the bowels after a spinal cord injury, which may affect normal bowel function depending on the spinal level involved. A bowel program aims to achieve regular bowel movements, prevent constipation or impaction, and avoid accidents.
Choice A is wrong because encouraging a maximum fluid intake of 1,500 mL per day is not enough to prevent constipation and promote bowel health. A fluid intake of at least 2,000 mL per day is recommended for most adults.
Choice B is wrong because increasing the amount of refined grains in the client’s diet can worsen constipation and reduce stool bulk.
Refined grains are low in fiber, which is essential for normal bowel function. A high-fiber diet of at least 20 to 35 grams per day is advised for clients with spinal cord injury.
Choice C is wrong because providing the client with a cold drink prior to defecation can have the opposite effect of stimulating the bowel.
Cold drinks can slow down the digestive process and reduce peristalsis, which is the movement of food through the intestines. Warm or hot drinks can help stimulate the bowel and increase peristalsis.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Taking a hot shower in the morning can help decrease stiffness and improve joint mobility for people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the self-management strategies that can reduce pain and disability.
Choice A is wrong because applying cold packs directly on the skin of the affected joints can cause vasoconstriction and increase inflammation.
Cold therapy should be used with caution and with a barrier between the skin and the ice pack.
Choice B is wrong because biological response modifiers are not used to prevent infection, but to reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.
These medications can actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.
Choice D is wrong because clustering physical activities during the day can cause fatigue and joint stress for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
It is better to pace activities throughout the day and take frequent breaks to rest the joints.
Normal ranges for rheumatoid arthritis are based on the disease activity score (DAS), which measures the number of swollen and tender joints, the level of inflammation in the blood, and the patient’s global assessment of health. A DAS below 2.6 indicates remission, a DAS between 2.6 and 3.2 indicates low disease activity, a DAS between 3.2 and 5.1 indicates moderate disease activity, and a DAS above 5.1 indicates high disease activity.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. The nurse should determine if the client’s health care surrogate is aware of the risks and benefits of the procedure. A health care surrogate is a person who is authorized to make health care decisions for a client who is unable to do so. The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent for the surgery, which means that they have received adequate information about the procedure, its purpose, its risks, its benefits, and its alternatives.
Choice A is wrong because sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility’s risk manager does not ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent. The risk manager is not involved in the consent process and cannot authorize the surgery without the surrogate’s consent.
Choice B is wrong because ensuring that the client’s family supports the provider’s decision for surgery is not the same as obtaining informed consent from the surrogate.
The family may have different opinions or preferences than the surrogate, and the surrogate may not agree with the provider’s decision. The nurse should respect the surrogate’s autonomy and authority to make decisions for the client.
Choice C is wrong because determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not the nurse’s role.
The provider is responsible for determining the medical necessity of the surgery and explaining it to the surrogate. The nurse should not question or interfere with the provider’s judgment unless there is evidence of negligence or malpractice.
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