Nokea
A patient is unable to control his bowels ff. a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Which intervention by the nurse can help reduce episodes of bowel incontinence?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C, which is to toilet the patient according to his pre-illness schedule, whether or not he feels the urge, is the best intervention by the nurse to help reduce episodes of bowel incontinence in this patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage. This strategy can help establish a routine and promote regular bowel movements, which may reduce the likelihood of bowel incontinence episodes. Asking the patient frequently if he has to have a bowel movement (Option A) may not be effective, as the patient may not always be able to accurately communicate their needs due to the underlying condition. Placing incontinence pads on the patient's bed and chair (Option B) may manage the consequences of incontinence but does not address the root cause. While taking care not to embarrass the patient when incontinent episodes occur (Option D) is important for maintaining the patient's dignity, it does not directly address the issue of reducing bowel incontinence episodes.