A nurse finds a client who is awaiting the results of diagnostic tests sitting in bed crying. Which response by the nurse would best facilitate communication?

This outcome indicates that the client has resolved their constipation and has a regular pattern of defecation without difficulty or discomfort.

Choice A is wrong because taking a laxative daily can worsen constipation by causing dependency and reducing the natural peristalsis of the colon.

Choice C is wrong because requesting a bedpan every four hours does not necessarily mean that the client has bowel movements. It may indicate that the client has difficulty passing stool or has a sensation of incomplete emptying.

Choice D is wrong because having a bowel movement within 72 hours is still considered constipation. Constipation is diagnosed when bowel movements are associated with at least two of the following symptoms, occurring in the past three months with an onset of symptoms of at least six months: Less than three spontaneous bowel movements per week, Lumpy or hard stools from at least 25% of bowel movements.

A 40-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 138/98 mm Hg should be referred for immediate treatment. This is because this client has grade 1 hypertension according to the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) guidelines, which define hypertension as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or higher in the office or clinic. This client also has a high risk of cardiovascular complications due to their age and elevated DBP.

Choice A is wrong because a 20-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 125/60 mm Hg does not have hypertension. This client has normal blood pressure according to the ISH guidelines, which define normal blood pressure as an SBP of less than 130 mm Hg and a DBP of less than 85 mm Hg in the office or clinic. This client also has a low risk of cardiovascular complications due to their age and low DBP.

Choice C is wrong because a 55-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 142/68 mm Hg does not need immediate treatment. This client has grade 1 hypertension according to the ISH guidelines, but their DBP is normal. The ISH guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions for three to six months before medication in patients with grade 1 hypertension and no comorbidities.

This client may have other risk factors that need to be assessed, such as obesity, diabetes, or smoking, but they do not require urgent referral.

Choice D is wrong because a 70-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 150/78 mm Hg does not need immediate treatment. This client has grade 1 hypertension according to the ISH guidelines, but their DBP is normal. The ISH guidelines recommend a target blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg within three months for patients older than 65 years, and after three months reduce the target to less than 130/80 mm Hg.

This client may have other risk factors that need to be assessed, such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation, but they do not require urgent referral.