A nurse is teaching a client who has a new colostomy about how to control odors and flatus.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A rationale

Cranberry juice has a low pH, creating an acidic environment in the gastrointestinal tract which can help to neutralize bacteria and reduce malodorous compounds like indole and skatole, thereby decreasing odor. This action is beneficial, so avoiding it is not the correct advice for odor control.

Choice B rationale

Breath mints or commercial deodorizers contain ingredients like peppermint or chlorophyll that chemically neutralize odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds produced during digestion. Placing a breath mint inside the ostomy pouch releases these agents, effectively masking and reducing the unpleasant smell from gas and stool.

Choice C rationale

Eggs are a rich source of sulfur-containing amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine. When these are digested by intestinal bacteria, they produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which is the primary contributor to a strong, unpleasant odor and increased flatus. Consuming eggs would exacerbate the problem.

Choice D rationale

Sugar-free gum often contains sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol. These are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and are fermented by colonic bacteria, leading to the production of gas. This can increase flatus and may contribute to bloating and discomfort for the client.

Choice A rationale

A nonstress test (NST) does not require the client to fast. The client can eat and drink normally, and sometimes a sugary beverage is even encouraged to stimulate fetal movement, as the test aims to record fetal heart rate accelerations in response to these movements.

Choice B rationale

The nonstress test is a screening tool used to assess fetal well-being by measuring the fetal heart rate's response to fetal movement. It does not provide information about genetic problems, which are typically identified through genetic testing or prenatal diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis.

Choice C rationale

A key component of the nonstress test involves the mother noting fetal movements. The client is given a marker, often a button, to press each time she feels the baby move. This action correlates the mother's perception of movement with the fetal heart rate accelerations recorded on the monitor.

Choice D rationale

Oxytocin is not administered during a nonstress test. The purpose of this test is to assess the baby's baseline heart rate and accelerations without external stimulation. Oxytocin is used in a contraction stress test, which is a different procedure to evaluate how the baby handles uterine contractions. *.