The nurse is teaching a client about caring for a new ileostomy. What information is most important to include?
"Notify the primary health care provider if output from your stoma has a sweetish odor.”
"Remember that you must wear a pouch system at all times.”
"Call your primary health care provider if your stoma has a bluish or pale look."
"After surgery, output from your ileostomy may be a loose, dark-green liquid with some blood present."
The Correct Answer is C
An ileostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening into the ileum, bypassing the entire colon. The resulting stoma must be vibrant and moist, reflecting adequate microvascular perfusion. Any compromise in the arterial supply or venous drainage of the stoma can lead to tissue necrosis and ischemia, making visual inspection of the stoma the most critical postoperative nursing assessment for viability.
Rationale:
A. A sweetish odor from ileostomy output is not a clinical emergency and can be influenced by diet or medications. While changes in odor are worth noting for the patient's comfort, they do not indicate a life-threatening complication. Odor management is a secondary concern compared to the physical integrity and blood supply of the newly created stoma.
B. While it is true that an ileostomy pouch must be worn at all times because the output is continuous and liquid, this is a lifestyle and hygiene instruction. It does not address the immediate surgical safety of the patient. The most important information must always prioritize the detection of acute physiological failure, such as the loss of blood flow.
C. Calling the provider if the stoma is bluish or pale is the most important instruction because it indicates ischemia or infarction. A healthy stoma should be beefy red or pink, signifying adequate oxygenation. A color change to blue, purple, or pale signifies a lack of blood perfusion, which is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention to save the tissue.
D. Describing the initial postoperative output is helpful for setting expectations, but it is a normal finding rather than a warning sign of a complication. Dark green liquid is common as the bowel begins to function. While the patient should know this is normal, the priority of teaching must always be focused on identifying abnormal, dangerous changes in stoma health.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Management of chronic pancreatitisfocuses on minimizing the metabolic and secretory demands placed on the damaged organ. Exacerbations are often triggered by substances that stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymesor cause further cellular damage. Dietary modifications and the elimination of chemical irritants are essential to reduce the frequency of painful episodes and slow the progression of pancreatic insufficiency.
Rationale:
A.Eating small mealsis crucial to prevent overstimulating the pancreas. Large meals require a massive release of digestive enzymes, which can trigger inflammation and pain in a compromised organ. High-calorie snacks are necessary to combat the malabsorption and weight loss typical of the disease, ensuring the patient maintains adequate nutritional statuswithout taxing the digestive system.
B.Avoiding caffeinated beverages is recommended because caffeine can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes. This increased activity can exacerbate the underlying inflammation and lead to acute-on-chronic pain episodes. By eliminating secretory stimulants, the patient helps maintain the pancreas in a relatively "rested" state, which is vital for long-term symptom management and comfort.
C.Alcohol ingestionis the primary cause of chronic pancreatitis and a major trigger for acute exacerbations. Alcohol causes the secretion of protein-rich pancreatic juice that can plug small ducts, leading to calcification and further fibrosis. Absolute abstinence from alcohol is the most critical intervention to prevent the rapid destruction of functional parenchymaand reduce chronic pain.
D.Balancing rest with activity is a general health recommendation but does not specifically prevent exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a chemical and inflammatory process triggered by diet and toxins, not by physical exertion. While rest is important for general recovery, it does not target the pathophysiological triggersthat cause pancreatic flare-ups, unlike dietary and toxin avoidance.
E.Avoiding green, leafy vegetables is incorrect; these foods are generally encouraged as part of a low-fat, nutrient-dense diet. Patients with pancreatitis need to avoid high-fat foods, not fiber-rich vegetables. Leafy greens provide essential vitamins that may be lacking due to malabsorption. Restricting them would be counterproductive to the goal of maintaining optimal micronutrient levelsin the patient.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Hepatitis Ais an acute, self-limiting viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through the consumption of contaminated water or undercooked shellfish. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, it does not result in chronic liver disease but causes significant hepatic inflammationand jaundice during the acute phase of the illness.
Rationale:
A.Medications can cause toxic or drug-induced hepatitis, but they do not cause Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is strictly a viral infection caused by a specific pathogen, HAV. While certain drugs like acetaminophen can damage hepatocytes, they cannot spontaneously generate a viral infection, making this client statement scientifically inaccurate regarding the etiology of the disease.
B.Shellfish, such as shrimp or oysters, are common vectors for Hepatitis A if they are harvested from waters contaminated with human sewage. Because HAV is hardy and can survive in water, eating contaminated seafoodthat is raw or under-cooked is a classic route of transmission. This statement correctly identifies a likely source of exposure consistent with the fecal-oral transmission mechanism.
C.While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause liver inflammation (mononucleosis hepatitis), it is not a "co-infection" factor specific to the replication or transmission of Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A does not require a co-virus, unlike Hepatitis D which requires Hepatitis B. The client is confusing general viral infections with the specific pathophysiology of the HAV pathogen.
D.Hepatitis A is very rarely transmitted through blood transfusions because the viremic phase is brief and the virus is primarily shed in feces. Bloodborne transmission is more characteristic of Hepatitis B, C, and D. The client’s statement reflects a misunderstanding of the primary transmission precautionsnecessary for HAV, which focus on hand hygiene and food safety.
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