Which of the following responses should the nurse offer to a patient who asks why he's having a vagotomy to treat his ulcer?

A. A vagotomy is not performed to repair a perforation. A perforation typically requires different surgical interventions, such as suturing or possibly resection. This response does not accurately reflect the purpose of a vagotomy.

B. While this sounds like a logical reason for treating an ulcer, vagotomy itself does not involve removing ulcerated tissue. It is a procedure that involves cutting the vagus nerve to reduce acid secretion in the stomach, rather than directly excising tissue. Thus, this response is incorrect.
C. A vagotomy is performed to cut the vagus nerve, which decreases the stimulation of acid production in the stomach. This reduction in acid helps promote healing of the ulcer and prevents future ulcer formation. It directly addresses the underlying problem of excessive acid production associated with peptic ulcers.
D. This response refers to a different surgical procedure, such as a fundoplication, which is done to prevent hiatal hernias where the stomach slides into the chest. Vagotomy does not serve this purpose and is unrelated to preventing such anatomical issues.

A.Gloves should be worn to protect the healthcare provider from potential exposure to C. diff spores, which can be present in the client’s stool. It also prevents the spread of infection to other patients and surfaces.
B.C. diff is highly contagious, and the spores can persist on surfaces. Restricting family members from using the client's restroom helps reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others, especially in shared facilities.
C.Placing the client in a private room helps prevent the spread of C. diff to other patients, particularly in healthcare settings. This isolation is critical for controlling outbreaks of this infection.
D. This is not recommended for C. diff. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many pathogens, they do not effectively kill C. diff spores. Handwashing with soap and water is the preferred method after caring for a C. diff patient to ensure thorough removal of spores.
E. C. diff is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and droplet precautions are not required. Masks are typically used for respiratory infections, not for gastrointestinal infections like C. diff.