Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Intestinal and Rectal Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Intestinal and Rectal Disorders related questions and content

A patients screening colonoscopy revealed the presence of numerous polyps in the large bowel. What principle should guide the subsequent treatment of this patients health problem?

  • A. Adherence to a high-fiber diet will help the polyps resolve.
  • B. The patient should be assured that these are a normal, age-related physiologic change.
  • C. The patients polyps constitute a risk factor for cancer.
  • D. The presence of polyps is associated with an increased risk of bowel obstruction.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Although most polyps do not develop into invasive neoplasms, they must be identified and followed closely. They are very common, but are not classified as a normal, age-related physiologic change. Diet will not help them resolve and they do not typically lead to obstructions.