A preoperative nurse is caring for a client who is being prepped for emergency surgery related to a small bowel obstruction. The client is anxious and doesn’t understand what the surgeon means by “adhesions” causing the blockage. Which of the following statements is the best response from the nurse?

Choice A Reason: Crohn’s disease looks like what would appear to be a second-degree burn in the colon and rectum areas only

This description is not accurate for Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, not just the colon and rectum. Additionally, describing it as a second-degree burn is misleading as it does not accurately represent the nature of the inflammation and ulceration seen in Crohn’s disease.

Choice B Reason: Crohn’s disease is characterized by a transmural granulomatous inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract

While this statement is medically accurate, it is not simplistic or non-medical. It uses technical terms like “transmural” and “granulomatous inflammation,” which may be difficult for a client to understand without a medical background. The goal is to provide a description that is easy to comprehend.

Choice C Reason: Crohn’s disease causes continuous inflammation of the mucosa and sub-mucosa of the colon and rectal linings

This description is more fitting for ulcerative colitis, another type of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease is characterized by patchy areas of inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, not just the colon and rectum. Therefore, this statement does not accurately describe Crohn’s disease.

Choice D Reason: Crohn’s disease has the appearance of a patchwork quilt with some areas that are clear and some with sores

This description is the most simplistic and non-medical. It effectively conveys the nature of Crohn’s disease, which involves patchy areas of inflammation interspersed with healthy tissue, resembling a patchwork quilt. This analogy helps clients visualize the condition without needing to understand complex medical terminology.

Choice A Reason:

This option suggests that the gallbladder is blocked by a tumor. While tumors can cause blockages, they are not the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation requiring a cholecystectomy. Gallstones are a more frequent cause of such issues.

Choice B Reason:

This is the correct answer. Gallstones can block the common bile duct, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder, a condition known as cholecystitis. This blockage prevents bile from flowing out of the gallbladder, causing pain and potentially leading to infection.

Choice C Reason:

While cholesterol is a component of many gallstones, the inflammation of the gallbladder is typically due to the physical blockage caused by the stones rather than the cholesterol itself. The blockage leads to bile buildup and subsequent inflammation.

Choice D Reason:

Gallbladder infections caused by viruses are extremely rare. Most gallbladder infections are bacterial and occur secondary to blockages caused by gallstones.