Which response is best when a patient refuses a stool softener after pituitary surgery?

"You need the stool softener because it will be hard to defecate while you remain in bed."

"Any manipulation of the pituitary gland can cause difficulty in defecation, so stool softeners are important after your surgery."

"It is important you do not strain during bowel movements because this could result in increased pressure on your surgical site."

"You can choose not to take the stool softener if you feel you do not need it."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. "You need the stool softener because it will be hard to defecate while you remain in bed.": This is not the most appropriate response. While immobility can make bowel movements more difficult, the primary concern following pituitary surgery is the avoidance of straining due to the potential for increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The emphasis should be on avoiding pressure on the surgical site rather than general difficulties from immobility.
B. "Any manipulation of the pituitary gland can cause difficulty in defecation, so stool softeners are important after your surgery.": This is misleading. While pituitary surgery may influence certain bodily functions, the most critical concern is preventing straining to avoid raising ICP. The focus should be on explaining the rationale for avoiding pressure on the surgical site.
C. "It is important you do not strain during bowel movements because this could result in increased pressure on your surgical site.": This is the correct response. Straining during bowel movements can increase ICP, which could potentially compromise healing or lead to complications after pituitary surgery. This explanation directly addresses the patient's safety and emphasizes the need for stool softeners to prevent straining.
D. "You can choose not to take the stool softener if you feel you do not need it.": This response is inappropriate because it does not emphasize the importance of preventing straining, which is a critical consideration after pituitary surgery. The nurse should provide education on the necessity of the stool softener to avoid complications rather than leaving the decision solely to the patient.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Moist mucous membranes: This is incorrect. In diabetes insipidus, the body loses large amounts of water due to a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or its effects. As a result, the client often experiences dehydration, leading to dry mucous membranes, not moist ones.
B. Bounding peripheral pulses: This is incorrect. While bounding pulses are often seen in conditions like fluid overload or hypervolemia, diabetes insipidus typically causes dehydration due to excessive urination, which would not lead to bounding pulses. The pulses would more likely be weak or thready due to fluid loss.
C. Urine specific gravity 1.002: This is the correct finding. In diabetes insipidus, the kidneys are unable to concentrate urine, resulting in very dilute urine. A urine specific gravity of 1.002 indicates very diluted urine, which is characteristic of diabetes insipidus.
D. Bradycardia: This is incorrect. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with diabetes insipidus. In fact, tachycardia (increased heart rate) can occur as a compensatory response to dehydration caused by excessive urination in diabetes insipidus.

A. Peak flow of more than 40% B. Bradycardia C. Loud and prominent wheezing D. Arterial blood gas is deteriorating

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. A peak flow of more than 40% would indicate that the patient's asthma is not in an acute exacerbation. This patient's symptoms, such as confusion and inability to speak, suggest a severe asthma attack, and the peak flow would likely be much lower.
B. Bradycardia is not typically associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Tachycardia is more commonly observed as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxia.
C. Loud and prominent wheezing is usually seen in less severe cases of asthma. In this case, the inability to speak and confusion suggest severe respiratory distress, where wheezing might be diminished or absent due to poor air movement.
D. Deteriorating arterial blood gas (ABG) results, with low oxygen levels (hypoxemia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), would be expected in a patient with severe asthma exacerbation. These signs indicate respiratory failure and the need for urgent intervention.

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Which response is best when a patient refuses a stool softener after pituitary surgery?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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