Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Ostomies Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Ostomies related questions and content

A client will be having a total colectomy in 4 days. The client does not have an obstruction. What does the nurse anticipate instructing the client about doing prior to the surgery to prepare the bowel?

  • A. Instructing the client about dietary restrictions and lavage agents
  • B. Making sure the client drinks 2 L of fluids prior to the procedure
  • C. Instructing the client to have no food except clear liquids for 4 days
  • D. There will be no special preparation, and the client may eat until midnight the night prior to surgery.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cleansing of the bowel before surgery is carried out using dietary restriction in combination with laxative or lavage agents, depending on the client's condition (i.e., presence or absence of obstruction) and according to the surgeon's preference. There are no benefits to the client drinking 2 L of fluids prior to the procedure or taking in only clear liquids for 4 days.