A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who has chronic constipation secondary to irregular bowel habits. Which of the following should the nurse plan to include in the teaching?

A) The client should try to take in all of the required dietary fiber with the morning meal:
While it's beneficial for clients to consume dietary fiber with meals to promote regular bowel movements, focusing solely on the morning meal may not provide adequate fiber intake throughout the day. It's essential for clients with chronic constipation to maintain a consistent intake of dietary fiber with each meal and snack.

B) The client should drink two to three 8 oz glasses of water each day:
Hydration is important for overall bowel health, but simply drinking water may not be sufficient to alleviate chronic constipation. While increasing fluid intake can help soften stools and prevent constipation, the amount of water needed varies among individuals. It's important for clients to drink enough fluids throughout the day to maintain hydration and support gastrointestinal function.

C) The client should follow a high-fiber diet to establish bowel regularity:
This is the correct answer. Increasing dietary fiber intake is a cornerstone of managing chronic constipation. A high-fiber diet can help add bulk to stools, improve bowel motility, and establish regularity. The nurse should educate the client about incorporating fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into their daily diet to promote optimal bowel function.

D) The client should be taught that the goal of therapy is to have a bowel movement daily:
While having a daily bowel movement may be a reasonable goal for some individuals, it's not universally applicable to all clients with chronic constipation. Bowel habits vary among individuals, and the frequency of bowel movements needed to establish regularity depends on factors such as diet, activity level, and overall health. The focus of therapy should be on achieving comfortable and regular bowel movements rather than a specific frequency.

A) Check the client's perianal skin integrity:
Assessing perianal skin integrity is important in the care of a client with ulcerative colitis, particularly due to the potential for diarrhea and irritation. However, this is not the first priority upon admission for an acute exacerbation.

B) Educate the patient on which foods the patient should eat:
Nutritional education is crucial in managing ulcerative colitis, but it is not the priority during the initial assessment and admission for an acute exacerbation. Stabilizing the client's condition and addressing immediate needs take precedence.

C) Investigate the client's emotional concerns:
While emotional support is important, particularly in chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis, assessing emotional concerns is not the first action required upon admission for an acute exacerbation. Physical stabilization and assessment of the client's condition are the initial priorities.

D) Review the client's electrolyte values:
This is the correct answer. During an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, there is a risk of electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhea and fluid loss. Reviewing the client's electrolyte values is crucial to assess the severity of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can have immediate implications for the client's treatment plan and stabilization.