A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving fluids through a peripheral IV catheter.
Which of the following observations at the IV site should the nurse identify as signs of infiltration?

Choice A rationale

Assisting the patient to a left side-lying position with the right knee flexed is often used for rectal examinations or administering enemas, but it does not directly address the issue of a large amount of fecal material in the colon.

Choice B rationale

Preparing the patient for a chest x-ray would not be beneficial in this situation. A chest x-ray would not provide further information about the fecal material in the colon.

Choice C rationale

Administering a cleansing enema can help to remove the fecal material from the colon. This is a common treatment for fecal impaction.

Choice D rationale

Performing a manual digital examination of the patient’s rectum can help to assess the amount of fecal material present, but it would not alleviate the patient’s abdominal pain or remove the fecal material.

Choice A rationale

Assisting the client to a left side-lying position with the right knee flexed is a common position for administering an enema. However, this action alone would not address the client’s immediate need for relief from constipation.

Choice B rationale

Preparing the client for a chest x-ray would not be the most appropriate action based on the client’s symptoms. The client is experiencing abdominal pain and constipation, which are not typically associated with conditions that would require a chest x-ray.

Choice C rationale

Administering a cleansing enema is the correct action. The client has not had a bowel movement for the past 7 days and reports abdominal pain. These symptoms, along with the findings from the abdominal x-ray, suggest that the client is experiencing constipation. A

cleansing enema can help to relieve constipation by stimulating bowel movements and removing impacted fecal matter.

Choice D rationale

Auscultating the client’s bowel sounds is an important part of assessing the client’s gastrointestinal status. However, given the client’s symptoms and the results of the abdominal x-ray, administering a cleansing enema would be the most appropriate action.