Chapter 46: Caring for Clients with Disorders of the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract

A client with complaints of right lower quadrant pain is admitted to the emergency department. Blood specimens are drawn and sent to the laboratory. Which laboratory finding should be reported to the physician immediately?

A client with complaints of right lower quadrant pain is admitted to the emergency department. Blood specimens are drawn and sent to the laboratory. Which laboratory finding should be reported to the physician immediately?

A client's colorectal cancer has necessitated a hemicolectomy with the creation of a colostomy. In the 4 days since the surgery, the client has been unwilling to look at the ostomy or participate in any aspects of ostomy care. What is the nurse's most appropriate response to this observation?

Acknowledge the client's reluctance and initiate discussion of the factors underlying it

The nurse is performing a rectal assessment and notices a longitudinal tear or ulceration in the lining of the anal canal. The nurse documents the finding as which condition?

Anal fissure

Which is the most common presenting symptom of colon cancer?

Change in bowel habits

Which statement provides accurate information regarding cancer of the colon and rectum?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common site of cancer in the United States.

A client presents with an infection in the area between the internal and external sphincters. In which chronic disease is this condition commonly seen?

Crohn's disease

The nurse is performing a community screening for colorectal cancer. Which characteristic should the nurse include in the screening?

Familial polyposis

During a client's scheduled home visit, an older adult client has stated to the community health nurse that she has been experiencing hemorrhoids of increasing severity in recent months. The nurse should recommend which of the following?

Increased fluid and fiber intake

The nurse is conducting a community education program on colorectal cancer. Which statement should the nurse include in the program?

It is the third most common cancer in the United States.

A client who has undergone colostomy surgery is experiencing constipation. Which intervention should a nurse consider for such a client?

Suggest fluid intake of at least 2 L/day

A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing to rule out colorectal cancer. Which intervention should the nurse include on the plan of care?

Test all stools for occult blood.

The nurse is assessing a client for constipation. Which factor should the nurse review first to identify the cause of constipation?

Usual pattern of elimination

A longitudinal tear or ulceration in the lining of the anal canal is termed a(n):

anal fissure.

Diet therapy for clients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) includes:

high-fiber diet.

Which client requires immediate nursing intervention? The client who

presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen.

Nursing assessment of a client with peritonitis reveals hypotension, tachycardia, and signs and symptoms of dehydration. The nurse also expects to find:

severe abdominal pain with direct palpation or rebound tenderness.

A client admitted with acute diverticulitis has experienced a sudden increase in temperature and reports a sudden onset of exquisite abdominal tenderness. The nurse's rapid assessment reveals that the client's abdomen is uncharacteristically rigid on palpation. What is the nurse's best response?

Contact the primary provider promptly and report these signs of perforation.

A nurse is assessing a client's stoma on postoperative day 3. The nurse notes that the stoma has a shiny appearance and a bright red color. How should the nurse best respond to this assessment finding?

Document that the stoma appears healthy and well perfused.

Which is a true statement regarding regional enteritis (Crohn's disease)?

The clusters of ulcers take on a cobblestone appearance.

The nurse is admitting a patient with a diagnosis of diverticulitis and assesses that the patient has a boardlike abdomen, no bowel sounds, and complains of severe abdominal pain. What is the nurse's first action?

notify the physician