A patient has been admitted for surgery for a colostomy. The patient states, "I can't believe this has happened to me." What is the nurse's best response?

A) Dysrhythmias:
Straining while defecating can trigger the Valsalva maneuver, which involves taking a deep breath and bearing down. This can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure, decreased venous return to the heart, and subsequently a sudden drop in blood pressure when the strain is released. These changes can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, particularly in older adults or those with underlying heart conditions.

B) Dilated pupils:
Dilated pupils are not a known consequence of straining while defecating. Pupillary dilation is typically associated with responses to low light, certain medications, or neurological conditions, rather than gastrointestinal strain.

C) Gastric ulcer:
Gastric ulcers are caused by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or excessive stomach acid. Straining during defecation does not contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.

D) Diarrhea:
Straining while defecating is more likely to be associated with constipation rather than diarrhea. Diarrhea involves frequent, loose, or watery stools, whereas straining typically occurs due to hard stools and difficulty passing them.

A) Contact: While contact precautions are important for preventing the transmission of infections, they primarily apply to clients with known or suspected infections that can spread through direct or indirect contact with the client or their environment. Protective isolation goes beyond contact precautions and involves comprehensive measures to protect immunocompromised clients from all potential sources of infection.

B) Airborne: Airborne precautions are necessary for clients with infections that spread through the airborne route, such as tuberculosis or measles. While respiratory infections can pose a significant risk to immunocompromised clients, the focus of care for clients after hematopoietic stem-cell transplant is on preventing all types of infections, not just airborne ones.

C) Droplet: Droplet precautions are used for infections transmitted through respiratory droplets expelled when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks, such as influenza or pertussis. While respiratory infections are a concern for immunocompromised clients, the broader approach of protective isolation is more appropriate for clients after hematopoietic stem-cell transplant, as it encompasses all potential routes of infection transmission, not just droplet spread.

D) Protective: Clients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant are profoundly immunocompromised due to the destruction of their immune system and are highly susceptible to infections. Protective isolation, also known as reverse isolation, is necessary to minimize the risk of infection in these clients. This includes implementing strict infection control measures such as wearing gowns, gloves, masks, and sometimes goggles to prevent exposure to pathogens. Additionally, maintaining a clean environment and limiting visitors and healthcare personnel who may carry infectious agents are essential components of protective isolation.