Patient Data

Exhibits

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According to the information gathered in the nurse's assessment, the nurse should prepare to give the client

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A. Ask the client to describe her dietary intake history for the last several days: Orlistat works by inhibiting fat absorption, and excessive intake of dietary fats can cause oily stools and gas. Assessing the client’s recent diet helps determine if her symptoms are due to high fat consumption, which can then be managed through dietary adjustments.

B. Instruct the client to increase her intake of saturated fats over the next week: Increasing fat intake would likely worsen her symptoms, as orlistat prevents fat absorption, leading to more pronounced gastrointestinal side effects if fat intake remains high.

C. Advise the client to stop taking the drug and contact her healthcare provider (HCP): Stopping orlistat is unnecessary at this stage. Oily stools are a common and expected side effect if dietary fat intake is not controlled, so addressing dietary habits is the first and more appropriate intervention.

D. Obtain a stool specimen to evaluate for occult blood and fat content: There is no indication that the client’s symptoms suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. The oily stools are an anticipated effect of fat malabsorption caused by orlistat, not a sign of occult blood loss.

A. Notify the healthcare provider: Notification of the healthcare provider is not immediately necessary just because of a meal delay. The nurse can manage the situation appropriately by adjusting the medication timing to ensure patient safety without requiring immediate provider involvement.

B. Administer the medication: Acarbose should be taken with the first bite of food to effectively delay carbohydrate absorption. Administering it without food available increases the risk of hypoglycemia, especially since the glucose level is already slightly elevated but within a manageable range.

C. Hold the medication until the meal trays arrive: Acarbose must be taken with the first mouthful of food to match the timing of glucose absorption. Holding the medication until the meal arrives ensures optimal therapeutic effect and prevents unnecessary hypoglycemia.

D. Obtain another finger stick blood glucose level: Rechecking the blood glucose is unnecessary at this time. The primary concern is coordinating the medication with food intake, not monitoring glucose trends over a short 30-minute delay.