A nurse is assessing a client who has Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?

Choice A Reason:

The statement that “Your provider will use your digital rectal examination to perform the test” is incorrect. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) typically involves collecting stool samples at home over several days, not during a digital rectal examination. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis to detect hidden blood in the stool.

Choice B Reason:

The statement that “Your provider will prescribe a stimulant laxative prior to the procedure to evacuate the bowel” is also incorrect. There is no need for a stimulant laxative before an FOBT. The test requires normal bowel movements to detect any hidden blood in the stool.

Choice C Reason:

The recommendation to “begin annual fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer screening at 40 years old” is not accurate. Current guidelines generally recommend starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for individuals at average risk. However, those with higher risk factors may need to start earlier, based on their healthcare provider’s advice.

Choice D Reason:

The statement “You should avoid taking corticosteroids prior to testing” is correct. Certain medications, including corticosteroids, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which may lead to false-positive results in an FOBT. Therefore, it is important to avoid these medications before the test, as advised by a healthcare provider.

Choice A Reason:

Suctioning secretions from the endotracheal tube is a common intervention for high-pressure alarms, which indicate an obstruction in the airway. However, a low-pressure alarm typically signals a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system, not an obstruction.

Choice B Reason:

Checking the ventilator tubing connections is the appropriate response to a low-pressure alarm. This alarm usually indicates a disconnection or leak in the ventilator circuit, which can compromise the delivery of adequate ventilation to the patient. Ensuring all connections are secure is the first step in troubleshooting this issue.

Choice C Reason:

Administering intravenous sedation and analgesia is not directly related to addressing a low-pressure ventilator alarm. While sedation may be necessary for patient comfort and to prevent agitation, it does not resolve the underlying issue of a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system.

Choice D Reason:

Reassuring the client and instructing them not to bite on the tube is more relevant to high-pressure alarms, where patient actions such as biting the tube can cause increased airway resistance. It does not address the cause of a low-pressure alarm, which is typically due to a disconnection or leak.