A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient who reports severe abdominal pain in the left quadrant. The healthcare provider suspects a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
What sign should the nurse look for that indicates the patient has blood in the peritoneum?

Choice A rationale

Orlistat works by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats in the body, which are then excreted in the stool. One of the side effects of this process can be changes in bowel habits, including an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and an oily discharge. Dark urine can be a sign of liver damage, which is a rare but serious side effect of orlistat. Therefore, if a patient notices their urine getting darker in color while taking orlistat, they should stop taking the medication and call their doctor immediately.

Choice B rationale

Orlistat should be taken with a meal that contains fat, not necessarily before breakfast. If a meal is missed or contains no fat, the dose of orlistat should be skipped.

Choice C rationale

Orlistat does not directly affect hunger signals or the feeling of fullness. It works in the digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested.

Choice D rationale

While it’s important to maintain a balanced, reduced-calorie diet while taking orlistat, a no-fat diet is not recommended. Orlistat works by blocking the absorption of some of the fat from meals. If a meal contains no fat, there is no fat for orlistat to block.

Choice A rationale

As an advocate, the nurse acts to protect the patient’s rights and helps them to speak for themselves. This includes supporting the patient’s decisions, even when these decisions might not be in line with the nurse’s personal beliefs.

Choice B rationale

As a manager, the nurse coordinates activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care, and oversight ensures that care is safe, effective, and patient-centered.

Choice C rationale

As a caregiver, the nurse assists patients with meeting their physical, psychological, and developmental needs. This role involves direct patient care activities.

Choice D rationale

As an educator, the nurse works to enhance patients’ knowledge about their health and care, promoting health behaviors and self-care skills.