A nurse is administering a tap-water enema to a client. The client reports cramping as the nurse instills the irrigating solution. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to relieve the client's discomfort?
Lower the height of the solution container.
Stop the enema and document that the client did not tolerate the procedure.
Encourage the client to bear down
Allow the client to expel some fluid before continuing
The Correct Answer is D
When the client experiences cramping during the enema administration, it indicates that the colon is becoming distended. By allowing the client to expel some of the fluid, the pressure in the colon is reduced, which can help alleviate the discomfort and cramping. The nurse should pause the administration of the enema and allow the client to release some fluid before continuing.
The other options mentioned are not appropriate or effective actions to relieve the client's discomfort:
Lowering the height of the solution container: Lowering the height of the solution container will decrease the force of the fluid flow but may not address the underlying cause of the cramping. Allowing the client to expel some fluid is a more appropriate intervention.
Stopping the enema and documenting that the client did not tolerate the procedure: While it is important to monitor the client's tolerance during the procedure, abruptly stopping the enema and documenting intolerance may not be necessary if the discomfort can be relieved by allowing the client to expel some fluid. The nurse should prioritize relieving the discomfort before deciding to stop the procedure.
Encouraging the client to bear down: Bearing down or pushing can increase intra-abdominal pressure and exacerbate the cramping. This action is not recommended in this situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["14"]
Explanation
To calculate the infusion rate in drops per minute (gtt/min), we can use the following formula: Infusion rate (gtt/min) = (Volume to be infused (ml) * Drop factor) / Time (min) Given:
Volume to be infused: 1000 ml
Drop factor: 10 gtt/ml
Time: 12 hr
First, we need to convert the time from hours to minutes:
12 hr * 60 min/hr = 720 min
Now, we can calculate the infusion rate:
Infusion rate (gtt/min) = (1000 ml * 10 gtt/ml) / 720 min
Simplifying the equation:
Infusion rate (gtt/min) = 10000 gtt / 720 min
Dividing both sides:
Infusion rate (gtt/min) ≈ 13.89 gtt/min
Rounding the answer to the nearest whole number, the nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver approximately 14 gtt/min.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I feel so much better after eating."This is most consistent with a duodenal ulcer, where pain is relieved by food (but often returns 2–3 hours later). Gastric ulcers, on the other hand, may worsen with eating.
B. "The pain is worse after I eat a meal high in fat."Fatty food intolerance and postprandial pain are more characteristic of gallbladder disease (cholelithiasis/cholecystitis), not PUD.
C. "The pain radiates down to my lower back."Pain radiating to the back is more typical of pancreatitis, not PUD.
D. "My pain is relieved by having a bowel movement."Relief of abdominal pain with a bowel movement suggests irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), not PUD.
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