A home health nurse is visiting a client who has advanced Alzheimer's disease. The client's partner states, "I miss being able to go places with my friends." Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Choice A Reason:

A client who has ulcerative colitis is correct. Ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), involves chronic inflammation and ulceration in the colon and rectum. This condition often results in bleeding from the inflamed mucosa, leading to the presence of blood in the stool that can be detected by a fecal occult blood test.

Choice B Reason:

A client who has stomatitis is incorrect. Stomatitis refers to inflammation in the mouth and does not typically cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which is what the fecal occult blood test detects. Stomatitis involves oral lesions or sores but does not directly impact stool blood content.

Choice C Reason:

A client who uses laxatives is incorrect. Laxative use does not necessarily cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. While some laxatives can potentially irritate the intestinal lining, leading to minor bleeding in some cases, the presence of blood in the stool due to laxative use is less common compared to conditions like ulcerative colitis, where chronic inflammation and ulceration lead to significant bleeding.

Choice D Reason:

A client who has cholecystitis is incorrect. Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder and does not directly involve bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. It typically presents with symptoms related to gallbladder inflammation such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, rather than causing bleeding that would be detected by a fecal occult blood test.

Choice A Reason:

Turn the client every 4 hr. is incorrect. While repositioning is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers in immobile patients, turning the client every 4 hours might not directly address the issue of fecal incontinence or skin protection in the perineal area.

Choice B Reason:

Cleanse the perineal area with povidone-iodine solution is incorrect. Povidone-iodine solution might be too harsh for routine perineal care and can potentially irritate the skin. A gentler cleansing solution is typically recommended to avoid further skin irritation.

Choice C Reason:

Apply cornstarch powder to the perineal area is incorrect. Cornstarch powder might exacerbate moisture-related skin issues in the perineal area by creating a damp environment, potentially leading to skin maceration and worsening skin problems. It's not typically recommended for use in managing fecal incontinence.

Choice D Reason:

Place a moisture barrier ointment over the perineal area is correct. Using a moisture barrier ointment can help protect the skin from irritation and breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to fecal matter, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and discomfort.