A nurse is caring for a client who had an indwelling urinary catheter inserted 3 days ago. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:

Including the family member in providing care for the client is incorrect. While involving the family in care might be helpful for some, not all family members might feel comfortable or capable of participating in direct care during such an emotional and difficult time. Asking their preferences and respecting their boundaries is crucial.

Choice B Reason:

Describing a personal experience with the death of a family member is incorrect. Sharing personal experiences could potentially be inappropriate or overwhelming for the family member. It might inadvertently shift the focus away from the client's needs and emotions.

Choice C Reason:

Asking if they have had prior experience with the death of a family member is correct. This approach allows the nurse to understand the family member's prior experiences with death, providing insights into their understanding, fears, and expectations. It also helps the nurse tailor their support accordingly, acknowledging their emotions and offering assistance that aligns with their comfort level.

Choice D Reason:

Suggesting that the family member contact a grief counselor is incorrect. While grief counseling might be beneficial, suggesting it immediately might not address the family member's immediate need or desire to help in the moment. It's essential to acknowledge their offer to help and offer immediate support or guidance that aligns with their comfort level.

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.