A nurse is caring for a client who has hypoglycemia.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of hypoglycemia?

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Documenting the event in the client’s progress notes is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The client’s progress notes should contain information about the client’s health status and care, not about staff behavior. Furthermore, documenting this incident in the client’s notes could potentially violate the client’s privacy if the notes are accessed by individuals who do not need to know about the incident.

Choice B rationale: Submitting an incident report to the risk manager is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Incident reports are typically used for events that have caused or have the potential to cause harm to a client, such as medication errors or falls. In this case, while the APs’ behavior is inappropriate, it has not caused harm to the client.

Choice C rationale: Informing the client of the APs’ actions is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Doing so could unnecessarily worry or upset the client. The nurse’s role is to advocate for the client and protect their privacy and dignity, which includes not sharing information about inappropriate staff behavior with the client.

Choice D rationale: Telling the APs to stop the conversation is the most appropriate action in this situation. The nurse has a professional responsibility to address inappropriate behavior by other healthcare team members. Discussing a client in a public area, such as the nurses’ station, is a breach of client confidentiality. The nurse should remind the APs of the importance of maintaining client confidentiality and direct them to stop the conversation.

Choice A rationale:

"I will notify my doctor if the stoma starts to look purple" indicates an understanding of the importance of monitoring the colostomy site for signs of compromised blood flow or ischemia. A purple or bluish color of the stoma may suggest reduced blood supply, which is a critical concern and should be reported promptly to the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale:

"I should expect my stool to be formed" is incorrect. In a colostomy, the type of stool output will depend on the location of the colostomy and the surgical procedure performed. Stool consistency can vary, and it may be formed or semi-formed depending on the individual and the specific situation. Expecting formed stool may not always be accurate.

Choice C rationale:

"I will no longer be able to eat nuts" is not necessarily true for all individuals with a colostomy. While some people may experience digestive difficulties with certain foods, including nuts, it is not a universal rule. Dietary restrictions should be discussed with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian based on the individual's specific condition and needs.

Choice D rationale:

"I will irrigate the colostomy every day" is not a recommended practice for all colostomy patients. Colostomy irrigation is a procedure that may be performed by some individuals with descending or sigmoid colostomies to regulate bowel movements. However, it is not necessary or appropriate for all colostomy patients. The need for colostomy irrigation should be determined by the healthcare provider and discussed with the patient as part of their individualized care plan.