While preparing to obtain a stool specimen for occult blood, the nurse observes that the client's feces is soft, solid, and light brown.
Which action should the nurse implement?

Wait to obtain the specimen until observable blood is present.

Withhold specimen collection until tarry black stool is observed.

Obtain the specimen from the client's current bowel movement.

Contact the healthcare provider before obtaining the specimen.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because occult blood is not visible to the naked eye. Waiting for observable blood may delay diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because tarry black stool indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which may not be related to the client's condition. Occult blood can be present in any color of stool.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because the nurse should obtain the specimen from the client's current bowel movement, regardless of its color or consistency. The test for occult blood detects hemoglobin in the stool, which may indicate bleeding anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because contacting the healthcare provider before obtaining the specimen is unnecessary and may waste time. The nurse should follow the protocol for stool specimen collection and report any abnormal findings to the provider.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because waiting for notification that the system has been rebooted can delay the client's care and compromise safety. The nurse should report the problem as soon as possible and use alternative methods of documentation.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because identifying information as late entry in the record is a secondary action that should be done after the system is restored. The nurse should prioritize resolving the technical issue and ensuring continuity of care.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because notifying information services department of the situation is the first action that the nurse should take to alert the experts who can troubleshoot and fix the problem. The nurse should also follow the facility's policy and procedure for documenting in a downtime situation.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because printing electronic medical record (EMR) from backup server may not be feasible or accessible depending on the extent of the system failure. The nurse should use paper forms or charts as a temporary measure until the system is back online.

A. Reassess the client and the level of pain. B. Tell the client the medication needs more time to work. C. Ask the UAP to offer a backrub to the client. D. Encourage the client to focus on taking deep breaths.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A: Reassess the client and the level of pain is the correct intervention because it helps the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and plan further actions. The nurse should use a valid and reliable pain scale and check for any signs of adverse effects or complications.
Choice B: Tell the client the medication needs more time to work is not a correct intervention because it may dismiss the client’s pain and delay appropriate treatment. The nurse should acknowledge the client’s pain and explain the expected onset and duration of the medication.
Choice C: Ask the UAP to offer a backrub to the client is not a correct intervention because it may not be sufficient or appropriate for the client’s pain. The nurse should assess the client’s pain before delegating any nonpharmacological interventions to the UAP.
Choice D: Encourage the client to focus on taking deep breaths is not a correct intervention because it may not be effective or feasible for the client’s pain. The nurse should assess the client’s pain and offer other complementary therapies that are suitable and acceptable for the client.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

While preparing to obtain a stool specimen for occult blood, the nurse observes that the client's feces is soft, solid, and light brown. Which action should the nurse implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is entering prescriptions for lab work in a client's electronic medical record (EMR) when the system locks up and does not restart. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

After administering oxycodone to a client one hour ago, the client is reporting severe pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement next?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is interviewing a client with lower abdominal pain and dysuria, and needs to question the client about sexual activity. Which approach is best for the nurse to use?

The nurse observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) securing a client’s wrist restraints to the bedside rails. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

A client is admitted with pneumonia and has a recent history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The client is placed in isolation. While caring for the client, which item should the nurse place in a designated biohazard bag before it is removed from the room?

Patient Data Exhibits Based on the trending heart rate and pain score, what should the nurse do? Select all that apply.

A client with a family history of cardiac disease is seeking information to control risk factors. Which lifestyle modification is most important for the nurse to encourage?

A female client with metastatic breast cancer is admitted with shortness of breath and pleural effusions. The client has a living will and the family is requesting hospice information. Which information should the nurse provide regarding hospice? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer low-molecular-weight heparin subcutaneously. Which instruction should the nurse include?

The nurse is assessing a client in the clinic who is frightened and does not understand English. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

While preparing to obtain a stool specimen for occult blood, the nurse observes that the client's feces is soft, solid, and light brown.
Which action should the nurse implement?