A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with cancer of the colon.
The patient asks the nurse several Questions about what the provider might be planning to do. Which of the following nursing responses should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale

Formation of fistulas (abnormal connections between organs) and abscesses (collections of pus) are characteristic complications of Crohn's disease. The transmural inflammation in Crohn's disease can penetrate through the bowel wall, leading to these developments.

Choice B rationale

Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, although it most commonly involves the ileum and colon. Symptoms are not confined to the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis, another inflammatory bowel disease, primarily affects the colon.

Choice C rationale

While antibiotics may be used to treat secondary infections or complications of Crohn's disease, they are not a primary treatment for the underlying inflammatory process and do not typically lead to improvement of the disease itself. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that requires immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory medications.

Choice D rationale

Rectal bleeding is more commonly associated with ulcerative colitis, where the inflammation is typically limited to the mucosal layer of the colon and rectum, leading to ulceration and bleeding. While some bleeding can occur in Crohn's disease, it is generally less prominent than in ulcerative colitis.

Choice A rationale

Discussing the client's anxiety only after obtaining consent dismisses their current emotional state and fails to address their immediate concerns about pain. Addressing anxiety proactively fosters trust and ensures the client feels heard and supported before proceeding with the procedure. Delaying the conversation can increase the client's anxiety levels.

Choice B rationale

While the provider may administer a sedative, this statement doesn't fully address the client's anxiety about potential pain. It provides information about medication but doesn't offer reassurance or acknowledge the client's feelings. A more comprehensive approach would involve both medication and supportive communication.

Choice C rationale

Minimizing the client's anxiety by comparing it to the bowel preparation can be dismissive and doesn't validate their feelings about the procedure itself. Each individual experiences procedures differently, and focusing on the discomfort of the preparation might not alleviate their fear of pain during the colonoscopy.

Choice D rationale

Acknowledging the client's anxiety validates their feelings and establishes a supportive nurse-client relationship. Reassuring the client that measures will be taken to ensure their comfort directly addresses their concern about pain. This approach promotes trust and can help reduce the client's anxiety about the procedure.