When performing a focused gastrointestinal system assessment, the practical nurse (PN) asks a male client when his last bowel movement occurred. The client answers, "Three days ago." Which action should the PN implement first?

Administer a prescribed PRN stool softener

Determine the client's usual bowel patern

Encourage the client to ambulate more frequently

Recommend increasing high-fiber foods daily

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A bowel patern is the frequency, consistency, and appearance of a person's bowel movements. A normal bowel patern is what's normal for each person, and it can vary depending on factors such as diet, age, physical activity, and health conditions.
A focused gastrointestinal system assessment includes collecting subjective data about the patient's history of gastrointestinal disease, signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, diet and nutrition, and bowel patern. It also includes inspecting and auscultating the abdomen for any abnormalities³.
When a client reports having a bowel movement three days ago, the first action that the practical nurse should implement is to determine the client's usual bowel patern. This will help to evaluate if the client is experiencing constipation or if this is their normal frequency. It will also help to identify any changes or risk factors that may aﬀect the client's bowel function.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer, while options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Option A is incorrect because administering a stool softener without assessing the client's bowel patern may not be appropriate or eﬀective.

Option C is incorrect because encouraging ambulation may help to stimulate bowel activity, but it is not the first action to take.

Option D is incorrect because recommending dietary changes may be helpful for preventing or treating constipation, but it is not the first action to take.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Emphasize that using safe sex practices removes the risk of STIs. Rationale: While promoting safe sex practices is essential in preventing STIs, this response is not directly addressing the client's situation. The client already reports having unprotected sex, so this choice does not provide relevant information or address the potential consequences.

Choice B rationale:

Explain that reinfections occur from sex with untreated partners. Rationale: This is the correct response. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be treated with antibiotics, but reinfections can occur if sexual partners are not treated. This response provides essential information about the potential consequences of unprotected sex with untreated partners.

Choice C rationale:

Clarify that all STIs are transmitted through sexual intercourse. Rationale: While this statement is accurate in a general sense, it does not specifically address the client's situation or the risks associated with syphilis. It lacks the focus needed to educate the client effectively about their current situation.

Choice D rationale:

Provide counseling that most contraceptives protect against infection. Rationale: This response is inaccurate. Contraceptives primarily aim to prevent pregnancy, not protect against STIs. Therefore, it does not address the client's concern or provide relevant information about syphilis.

A. 3000 mg. B. 3300 mg. C. 3600 mg. D. 3750 mg.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Step 1 is to convert the child’s weight from pounds to kilograms since the dosage is prescribed in mg/kg. We know that 1 kg is approximately 2.2 lbs. So, the child’s weight in kg is 55 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 25 kg (rounded to the nearest whole number for simplicity).

Step 2 is to calculate the total daily dosage. The prescription is for 150 mg/kg/day. So, the total daily dosage is 150 mg/kg/day × 25 kg = 3750 mg/day.

So, the correct answer is, after analysing all choices, the nurse should administer 3750 mg of cefotaxime each day.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

When performing a focused gastrointestinal system assessment, the practical nurse (PN) asks a male client when his last bowel movement occurred. The client answers, "Three days ago." Which action should the PN implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis. The client reports having unprotected sex. Which response should the nurse provide?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for cefotaxime 150 mg/kg/day intravenously in divided doses every 6 hours. How many mg should the nurse administer each day?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) tells the practical nurse (PN) that a male client is angry because the night shift took over 2 hours to bring him the pain medication, he had to request three times. Which action should the PN implement first?

A client with chronic kidney disease receives a prescription for darbepoetin alfa 40 mcg subcutaneous every 7 days. The darbepoetin alfa vial is labeled, "60 mcg/mL." How many mL should the nurse administer? round to the nearest tenth.

The nurse is planning discharge instructions for a client with type 2 diabetes who will be starting exenatide. Which information should be included in the discharge instructions?

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has been taking amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) for a bacterial respiratory tract infection. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a possible adverse effect of this medication? (Select all that apply.).

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client's right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm. After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?

The mother of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) asks the nurse if her child's impaired movements will worsen as the child grows. Which response provides the best explanation?

The nurse is planning care for a client who has a fourth-degree midline laceration that occurred during vaginal delivery of an 8-pound 10-ounce (3674 grams) infant. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client?

Before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, which laboratory value is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to review?