A patient who is constipated has just received a mineral oil-retention enema. The nurse encourages this patient to hold this enema for a minimum of how long?

During the digital removal of impacted stool, if the patient's pulse rate decreases significantly, it is an indication of a potentially serious condition and the nurse should stop the procedure immediately. A sudden decrease in pulse rate may indicate vagal stimulation, which can lead to a vasovagal response or a more severe cardiovascular event. The nurse should assess the patient's condition, provide appropriate interventions, and notify the healthcare provider as necessary. The other options presented in the question are within normal ranges or do not indicate an immediate need for corrective action.

An increase in blood pressure from 110/84 to 118/88 mm Hg (option A) may not necessarily require immediate action, as it falls within a normal range and may be attributed to factors such as anxiety or pain.

A small increase in temperature from 98.8°F to 99.0°F (option B) may not be alarming on its own and may be within normal fluctuations.

An increase in respiratory rate from 16 to 24 breaths/min (option D) may indicate increased effort or anxiety during the procedure but is not typically a cause for immediate concern unless accompanied by other significant symptoms.

Finding blood in the stool from an ileostomy is an abnormal and potentially concerning finding. It could indicate bleeding from the digestive tract, which requires prompt evaluation and medical intervention. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider immediately to ensure appropriate assessment and management of the situation.

Liquid consistency of stool in (option A) will not be reported immediately although it is typical for an ileostomy as it involves the output of liquid stool from the small intestine.

Unpleasant odor from the stool in (option B) is a common characteristic of stool output from an ileostomy. It is important for the nurse to address odor control measures, but it may not require immediate reporting unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Continuous output from the stomach in (option D) is not an expected finding for an ileostomy, as the ileostomy bypasses the stomach. However, this option seems unrelated to the given scenario and is not as urgent as the presence of blood in the stool.