The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The client complains to the nurse of severe burning in the esophagus. The provider orders magnesium hydroxide. What outcome should the nurse expect if the medication achieves the desired therapeutic effect?

A. Cleans and dries the perianal area after each diarrheal stool: This is the correct option. Effective perianal care for a client with diarrhea, such as ulcerative colitis, involves gentle cleansing and thorough drying of the perianal area after each stool. Proper hygiene helps prevent skin breakdown and irritation caused by prolonged contact with stool.
B. Alcohol can be irritating to the skin and may exacerbate perianal irritation and discomfort. Therefore, using alcohol compresses is not considered an appropriate perianal care practice.
C. While antidiarrheal medications may be prescribed for clients with ulcerative colitis to help manage symptoms, asking for medication after each stool is not a typical or recommended approach. The frequency and timing of antidiarrheal medication administration should be based on healthcare provider recommendations and individual symptom management plans.
D. While Sitz baths can provide relief from perianal discomfort and promote healing, taking an hour-long Sitz bath after each stool may be impractical and excessive. Sitz baths are typically recommended for shorter durations (e.g., 10-20 minutes) and may be used periodically rather than after every stool.

B. It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the healthcare provider, even if symptoms improve before the course is finished. This ensures that all bacteria causing the infection are eradicated, reducing the risk of recurrence and development of antibiotic resistance.
A. Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed and for the full duration of the treatment course. Incomplete or inconsistent use of antibiotics can lead to incomplete eradication of the infection, development of antibiotic resistance, and recurrence of the infection.
C. While cranberry juice is often recommended for urinary tract health due to its ability to prevent bacterial adherence to the bladder wall, it is not a substitute for antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections.
D. Typically, urine cultures are reserved for cases where the diagnosis is uncertain, or the infection is recurrent or complicated. In uncomplicated UTIs, empirical antibiotic treatment based on symptoms and clinical presentation is usually sufficient.