A nurse is providing care to a client who has COPD and is receiving supplemental oxygen. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the RN immediately?

A. There is no indication of an emergency based on black stools alone without other concerning symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, cramping, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.
B. While gathering more information about the client's diet may be helpful in some cases, it does not address the specific concern about the black stools related to iron supplementation.
C. Unless there are other concerning symptoms, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or significant discomfort, this situation does not typically warrant an immediate visit to the office. It can be managed with reassurance and education over the phone.
D. Iron supplements commonly cause stools to turn black due to the way iron is metabolized in the digestive system. This change in stool color is known as "iron-induced blackening." It occurs because iron supplements contain iron salts that undergo chemical reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the production of iron sulfide compounds that impart a black color to the stool.

A. This instruction is more appropriate for female clients performing perineal hygiene before providing a clean-catch urine specimen. For straight catheterization, the nurse typically performs sterile technique, including cleansing the urethral meatus with an antiseptic solution as part of the procedure. The client's perineal area may be cleansed if necessary, but the primary focus is on maintaining sterile technique during catheter insertion.
B. When performing straight catheterization, the nurse inserts a sterile catheter into the client's bladder via the urethra to obtain urine directly. The urine is collected from the catheter itself as it drains into a sterile specimen container. It's essential to avoid touching the catheter's port or allowing it to come into contact with non-sterile surfaces to prevent contamination.
C. When inserting a Foley catheter (indwelling catheter), sterile water is used to inflate the balloon at the tip of the catheter after insertion into the bladder. For straight catheterization, a balloon is not typically inflated because the catheter is removed immediately after urine is obtained. Therefore, this step is not applicable in this context.
D. It is crucial to use a sterile specimen container to collect urine obtained via straight catheterization. This ensures that the specimen remains uncontaminated and suitable for culture and sensitivity testing, which requires accurate identification of any bacteria present in the urine.