A patient has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks and reports watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps. What intervention should the nurse suggest to the healthcare provider?

Choice A rationale
A client with a hip fracture and is on bedrest for 4 weeks may indeed experience constipation due to decreased physical activity. However, this situation would not necessarily require the nurse to question the order for psyllium. Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that can help relieve constipation by increasing stool bulk and improving bowel regularity.
Choice B rationale
Morphine is an opioid medication that can cause constipation as a side effect. Therefore, a client who is experiencing severe pain and is prescribed morphine may benefit from a laxative like psyllium to help manage opioid-induced constipation. This situation would not necessarily require the nurse to question the order for psyllium.
Choice C rationale
A client who is post-operative and is on a clear liquid diet may experience constipation due to the low fiber content of the diet. However, this situation would not necessarily require the nurse to question the order for psyllium. Once the client progresses to a regular diet, psyllium can help add bulk to the stool and promote regular bowel movements.
Choice D rationale
This choice is correct. A client with a recent stroke who has difficulty swallowing may be at risk for aspiration, or the inhalation of food or liquid into the lungs, when taking psyllium. Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that absorbs water in the intestines to form a softer, bulkier stool. If a client with swallowing difficulties were to aspirate the psyllium, it could potentially expand in the lungs when it comes into contact with moisture, leading to serious complications. Therefore, the nurse should question the order for psyllium in this situation.

Choice A rationale
Peripheral edema is not a common side effect of stopping steroids early. Peripheral edema is often associated with conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Choice B rationale
Low blood pressure is a common side effect when a person stops taking steroids like prednisone abruptly. Prednisone is a glucocorticoid, a type of steroid that works to mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone that the adrenal glands produce. The body uses cortisol to regulate the heart rate and blood pressure. When a person takes prednisone for longer than a few weeks, the body reduces the amount of cortisol it makes. When a person suddenly stops taking prednisone, the body cannot immediately produce enough cortisol to make up for the missing drug. This results in withdrawal symptoms, including low blood pressure.
Choice C rationale
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is not typically a withdrawal symptom of stopping steroids early. While long-term use of steroids can lead to increased blood sugar levels, stopping the medication does not typically cause hyperglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Weight loss can be a symptom of steroid withdrawal, but it is not the most immediate or common symptom that would be anticipated in a client who stopped taking their prescribed steroids early. More common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, and low blood pressure.