Nokea
A client realizes that regular use of laxatives has led to bowel pattern improvement. However, the nurse cautions this client against the prolonged use of laxatives for which reason?
- A. The client may develop inflammatory bowel disease.
- B. The client may develop arthritis or arthralgia.
- C. The client's natural bowel function may become sluggish.
- D. The client's appetite may be depleted.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is essential for the nurse to caution the client against the prolonged use of laxatives because it decreases muscle tone in the large intestine. Prolonged use of laxatives may cause the client's natural bowel function to become sluggish. Laxatives do not increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, or arthralgia, nor do they cause a loss in appetite.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory test results of a client with Crohn disease. Which of the following would the nurse most likely find?
- A. Decreased white blood cell count
- B. Increased albumin levels
- C. Stool cultures negative for microorganisms or parasite
- D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stool cultures fail to reveal an etiologic microorganism or parasite, but occult blood and white blood cells (WBCs) often are found in the stool. Results of blood studies indicate anemia from chronic blood loss and nutritional deficiencies. The WBC count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be elevated, confirming an inflammatory disorder. Serum protein and albumin levels may be low because of malnutrition.
A client reports taking a stimulant laxative in order to be able to have a bowel movement daily. What should the nurse inform the client about taking a stimulant laxative?
- A. They can be habit forming and will require increasing doses to be effective.
- B. If the client is drinking 8 glasses of water per day, it is all right to continue taking them.
- C. The laxative is safe to take with other medication the client is taking.
- D. The client should take a fiber supplement along with the stimulant laxative.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should discourage self-treatment with daily or frequent enemas or laxatives. Chronic use of such products causes natural bowel function to be sluggish. In addition, laxatives containing stimulants can be habit forming, requiring continued use in increasing doses. Although the nurse should encourage the client to have adequate fluid intake, laxative use should not be encouraged. The laxative may interact with other medications the client is taking and may cause a decrease in absorption. A fiber supplement may be taken alone but should not be taken with a stimulant laxative.
A client with a hernia decides to manage the herniation with a truss. The nurse would emphasize which of the following?
- A. Using laxatives to ensure regular bowel movement
- B. Wearing warm, woolen clothes to avoid dryness
- C. Applying a sunscreen to prevent exposure to direct sunlight
- D. Using cornstarch to absorb moisture in the area
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a client is managing herniation with a truss, the nurse informs the client to keep the skin clean and dry or to use cornstarch to absorb moisture. This minimizes the risk for infection. Use of warm, woolen clothes will not help reduce moisture, it may increase the moisture and increase the risk of infections. If the client's bowel movements are regular, laxatives would not be necessary. However, the client would need teaching to prevent constipation. Applying sunscreen is a general recommendation for any client to reduce the risk of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
A client is recently diagnosed with Crohn disease and is beginning treatment. What first-line treatment does the nurse expect that the client will be placed on to decrease the inflammatory response?
- A. Ciprofloxacin
- B. Methotrexate
- C. Azathioprine
- D. Sulfasalazine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Considered first-line treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, 5-ASA drugs contain salicylate, which is bonded to a carrying agent that allows the drug to be absorbed in the intestine. These drugs work by decreasing the inflammatory response. Methotrexate or azathioprine are used when failure to maintain remission necessitates the use of an immune-modulating agent. Ciprofloxacin is used as an effective adjunct to treat the disease.
The nurse is talking with a group of clients who are older than age 50 years about the recognition of colon cancer to access early intervention. What should the nurse inform the clients to report immediately to their primary care providers?
- A. Change in bowel habits
- B. Excess gas
- C. Daily bowel movements
- D. Abdominal cramping when having a bowel movement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The chief characteristic of cancer of the colon is a change in bowel habits, such as alternating constipation and diarrhea. Excess gas, daily bowel movements, and abdominal cramping when having a bowel movement are not indicators of colon cancer.