A nurse is preparing to collect a specimen from a client for a guaiac test. The client asks what the test will detect in his stool. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A Rationale: The correct method for cleansing the area before collecting a midstream urine specimen is to wipe from front to back, not back-and-forth. This is to avoid contamination of the specimen with bacteria from the anal area. The towelette should be used in a single stroke and then discarded to ensure cleanliness.

Choice B Rationale: Using the nondominant hand to spread the labia is a standard practice that allows the dominant hand to manipulate the collection container. This technique helps to prevent contamination of the specimen by keeping the container away from the body and ensuring a clean catch.

Choice C Rationale: It is important to start the flow of urine before collecting the specimen to ensure that the 'midstream' urine is captured. This helps to flush out any bacteria that may be present at the opening of the urethra, reducing the risk of contaminating the sample.

Choice D Rationale: The specimen container should be removed from the stream before stopping the flow of urine to avoid contamination. The initial and final parts of the urine stream can carry bacteria from the urethra and skin, so only the midstream should be collected in the container.

a. Nausea: Nausea is a common symptom of myocardial infarction and can be associated with autonomic nervous system activation.

b. Orthopnea: Orthopnea, difficulty breathing while lying down, is more commonly associated with heart failure, not necessarily myocardial infarction.

c. Diaphoresis: Profuse sweating or diaphoresis is a common manifestation of myocardial infarction due to sympathetic nervous system activation.

d. Headache: Headache is not a typical symptom of myocardial infarction. However, some individuals may experience atypical symptoms.

e. Tachycardia: Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is a common response to myocardial infarction and can be associated with sympathetic nervous system stimulation in response to decreased cardiac output.