A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a patient about how to perform fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer screening.

 Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? 

Choice A rationale

Pain is a subjective experience and can be expressed both verbally and nonverbally. It is important for the nurse to be attentive to both types of expressions to effectively manage the patient’s pain.
Choice B rationale
While it is true that opioids should be used with caution due to the risk of addiction, this statement can be misleading. Opioids are often necessary for managing postoperative pain, and the risk of addiction is low when they are used appropriately and under medical supervision.
Choice C rationale
Considering the patient’s individual expression of pain is crucial in pain management. Pain is a subjective experience and can vary greatly between individuals. Tailoring pain management strategies to the individual patient can improve pain control.
Choice D rationale
Using a pain scale is a common and effective way to monitor the severity of a patient’s pain. It provides a quantifiable measure of pain that can be used to guide treatment decisions.

Choice A rationale
While it’s true that dentures and other oral appliances should be removed before an EGD to prevent damage or loss during the procedure, this information is not the most crucial for the patient to understand.
Choice B rationale
Although a sore throat can occur after an EGD due to the passage of the endoscope, it’s not the most important information. The patient should be aware that the sore throat is temporary and can be relieved with warm gargles or ice.
Choice C rationale

This choice is accurate. An EGD allows the doctor to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine. However, this information, while important, is not the most critical aspect for the patient to understand about the post-procedure period.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. After an EGD, it’s crucial for the patient to understand that they should not eat or drink until their gag reflex has returned. This is to prevent aspiration, which can occur if the patient tries to swallow food or liquid before the gag reflex is functioning properly.