A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for a bowel-training program following a spinal cord injury.

Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Encourage a maximum fluid intake of 1,500 mL per day.

Increase the amount of refined grains in the client’s diet.

Provide the client with a cold drink prior to defecation.

Administer a cathartic suppository 30 min prior to scheduled defecation times.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is choice D. Administer a cathartic suppository 30 min prior to scheduled defecation times. This is because a cathartic suppository stimulates the nerve endings in the rectum, causing a contraction of the bowel and facilitating defecation. This is especially helpful for clients who have an upper motor neuron or reflexic bowel, which means they have lost the ability to feel when the rectum is full and have a tight anal sphincter muscle. A

bowel program is a way of controlling or moving the bowels after a spinal cord injury, which may affect normal bowel function depending on the spinal level involved. A bowel program aims to achieve regular bowel movements, prevent constipation or impaction, and avoid accidents.

Choice A is wrong because encouraging a maximum fluid intake of 1,500 mL per day is not enough to prevent constipation and promote bowel health. A fluid intake of at least 2,000 mL per day is recommended for most adults.

Choice B is wrong because increasing the amount of refined grains in the client’s diet can worsen constipation and reduce stool bulk.

Refined grains are low in fiber, which is essential for normal bowel function. A high-fiber diet of at least 20 to 35 grams per day is advised for clients with spinal cord injury.

Choice C is wrong because providing the client with a cold drink prior to defecation can have the opposite effect of stimulating the bowel.

Cold drinks can slow down the digestive process and reduce peristalsis, which is the movement of food through the intestines. Warm or hot drinks can help stimulate the bowel and increase peristalsis.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is choice B. Increase exercise.

Exercise can help stimulate bowel movements and prevent constipation, which is a common side effect of opioid medications.

Exercise can also improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and enhance mood, which can benefit clients who have chronic pain.

Choice A is wrong because decreasing insoluble fiber intake can worsen constipation.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps it pass more easily through the colon.

Clients who take opioid medications should increase their intake of insoluble fiber from sources such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Choice C is wrong because drinking less water can lead to dehydration and hardening of the stool, which can make it more difficult to pass.

Clients who take opioid medications should drink plenty of water to keep the stool soft and moist.

Choice D is wrong because taking a laxative every day can cause dependence, tolerance, and electrolyte imbalance.

Laxatives should be used only as a last resort and under the guidance of a health care provider.

Clients who take opioid medications should try other methods of preventing constipation first, such as increasing exercise, fiber, and water intake.

A. Measure gastric residual volumes every 4 hr. B. Advance the rate of the feeding every 2 hr. C. Maintain the head of the bed at a 20° angle. D. Flush the NG tube with 30 mL 0.9% sodium chloride before and after medication

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. Measure gastric residual volumes every 4 hr.

This is because continuous enteral feedings through an NG tube can increase the risk of aspiration, which is the inhalation of food or fluids into the lungs. Measuring gastric residual volumes (GRV) can help monitor the tolerance and absorption of the feedings and prevent overfeeding. GRV is the amount of fluid aspirated from the stomach via an enteral tube to check for gastric emptying. The normal range of GRV is less than 200 ml.

Choice B is wrong because advancing the rate of the feeding every 2 hr can lead to overfeeding, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The rate of the feeding should be adjusted according to the client’s nutritional needs and tolerance.

Choice C is wrong because maintaining the head of the bed at a 20° angle is not enough to prevent aspiration. The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30° to 45° during and for at least one hour after feeding.

Choice D is wrong because flushing the NG tube with 30 mL 0.9% sodium chloride before and after medication is not related to continuous enteral feedings. This is a practice to prevent clogging of the tube and ensure proper delivery of medication. Flushing the tube with water before and after feeding is also recommended to maintain patency and hydration.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for a bowel-training program following a spinal cord injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic pain about avoiding constipation from opioid medications. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for continuous enteral feedings through an NG tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A staff nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse suction a client’s tracheostomy. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse requires intervention by the staff nurse?

A nurse is positioning a client for a cesarean birth. To prevent a compromise in placental blood flow during the intraoperative period, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is performing postmortem care for a recently deceased client prior to the client’s family visit. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for a bowel-training program following a spinal cord injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A nurse is assisting with food selection for a client who follows kosher dietary traditions. Which of the following food choices should the nurse include on the client’s food tray?

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the partner of a client who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching

A hospice nurse is visiting with the son of a client who has terminal cancer. The son reports sleeping very little during the past week due to caring for his mother. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the facility’s computerized documentation system. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for a bowel-training program following a spinal cord injury.

Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?