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.
The Correct Answer is D
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 areflexic 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 injuries.
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Banana slices are soft, easy to chew, and can be picked up by the toddler’s fingers, which promotes independence in eating. According to the CDC, foods that toddlers should avoid include:
- Added sugars and no-calorie sweeteners, such as sugar-sweetened and diet drinks
- High-salt foods, such as canned foods, processed meats, frozen dinners, fast food, and junk food
- Unpasteurized juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese
- Foods that may cause choking, such as hard or crunchy foods, sticky foods, stringy cheese, and foods that are not cut up into small pieces
Choice A is wrong because popcorn is a choking hazard for toddlers.
It is hard, crunchy, and can get stuck in the airway. The NHS advises not to give whole nuts and peanuts to children under 5 years old.
Choice B is wrong because grapes are also a choking hazard for toddlers.
They are round, slippery, and can block the airway. The NHS recommends cutting grapes into quarters before giving them to young children.
Choice D is wrong because hot dogs are high in salt and can cause choking if not cut up into small pieces. The Extension warns against giving hot dogs to young toddlers.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is because cotton socks can help keep the feet dry and prevent infections. Wearing clean socks every day can also prevent blisters and injuries from friction.
Choice A is wrong because soaking feet twice daily can make the skin too soft and prone to injury. It can also wash away natural oils that protect the skin.
Choice C is wrong because rounding the edges of toenails when trimming can cause ingrown nails, which can lead to infection and pain. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and filed smoothly.
Choice D is wrong because using moisturizing lotion between the toes can create a moist environment that promotes fungal growth. Moisturizing lotion should be applied to the rest of the feet, but not between the toes.
Some other foot care guidelines for people with diabetes are:
• Inspect your feet daily and look for signs of injury, such as scrapes, cuts, blisters, etc.
• Wash your feet every day in warm water with mild soap.
Hot water and harsh soaps can damage your skin. Check the water temperature with your fingers or elbow before putting your feet in.
• Don’t walk barefoot.
Protect your feet from heat and cold. Wear appropriate-fitting shoes to avoid injury and blisters.
• See a doctor to remove corns or calluses (don’t do it yourself). Don’t use chemical wart removers, razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn or callus removers.
• Don’t sit with your legs crossed or stand in one position for long periods of time.
• See your doctor regularly for foot exams and report any problems or changes in your feet. References:
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