HESI Fundamental Practice Exam Related

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Three days following surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for the first time. He becomes quite upset and tells the LPN that it is much bigger than he expected. What is the best response by the nurse?

  • A. Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma's appearance in time.
  • B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes.
  • C. Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him with his concerns.
  • D. Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence with the procedure.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct response is to instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes. This explanation helps reassure the client about the temporary appearance of the stoma. Choice A is incorrect because simply reassuring the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma's appearance does not address the immediate concern about the stoma size. Choice C is incorrect because offering to contact a support group does not directly address the client's current distress about the stoma size. Choice D is incorrect because encouraging the client to handle stoma equipment does not directly address the client's concern about the stoma size and may not be appropriate at this time.