A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for pancrelipase to aid in digestion. The nurse should inform the client to expect which of the following gastrointestinal changes?
Decreased fat in stools
Decreased watery stools
Decreased mucus in stools
Decreased black tarry stools
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Decreased fat in stools
Pancrelipase is a combination of digestive enzymes, including lipase, protease, and amylase, which help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. One of the primary benefits of pancrelipase is its ability to improve fat digestion and absorption. Clients with pancreatic insufficiency often experience steatorrhea, which is the presence of excess fat in stools, making them bulky, greasy, and foul-smelling. By aiding in the digestion of fats, pancrelipase reduces the fat content in stools, leading to more normal bowel movements.
Choice B: Decreased watery stools
While pancrelipase can improve overall digestion, it is not specifically known for decreasing watery stools. Watery stools can result from various conditions, including infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or other gastrointestinal disorders. Pancrelipase primarily targets the digestion of macronutrients and may not directly affect the consistency of stools unless the watery stools are due to malabsorption of fats.
Choice C: Decreased mucus in stools
Mucus in stools can be a sign of inflammation or irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, often associated with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or infections. Pancrelipase does not specifically target mucus production in the intestines. Its primary function is to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, rather than addressing mucus-related issues.
Choice D: Decreased black tarry stools
Black tarry stools, also known as melena, are typically a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly from the upper GI tract. This condition requires immediate medical attention and is not related to the use of pancrelipase. Pancrelipase is not indicated for treating or preventing gastrointestinal bleeding and would not affect the presence of black tarry stools.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bradycardia:
Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not typically associated with diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus primarily affects the body’s ability to regulate fluid balance, leading to excessive urination and thirst. Bradycardia is more commonly related to conditions affecting the heart or the autonomic nervous system.
Choice B reason: Hyperglycemia:
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine, leading to large volumes of dilute urine and increased thirst3. Hyperglycemia is not a symptom of diabetes insipidus.
Choice C reason: Dehydration:
Dehydration is a common and significant finding in diabetes insipidus. Due to the excessive loss of water through urine, individuals with diabetes insipidus often experience severe thirst and dehydration if they do not consume enough fluids to compensate for the loss. This is a key symptom that helps differentiate diabetes insipidus from other conditions.
Choice D reason: Polyphagia:
Polyphagia, or excessive hunger, is typically associated with diabetes mellitus, particularly when blood sugar levels are high and the body’s cells are not receiving adequate glucose. In diabetes insipidus, the primary symptoms are related to fluid imbalance, such as excessive urination (polyuria) and thirst (polydipsia), rather than hunger.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Inserting a nasogastric tube is not the first-line intervention for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This invasive procedure is typically reserved for severe cases where other interventions have failed.
Choice B reason:
Administering an antiemetic is the appropriate action. Antiemetics help control nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of opioids like morphine. This intervention can provide immediate relief and improve the client’s comfort.
Choice C reason:
Auscultating bowel sounds is important for assessing gastrointestinal function, but it does not directly address the immediate symptom of nausea and vomiting. This assessment can be part of the overall evaluation but is not the primary intervention.
Choice D reason:
Encouraging the client to ambulate is beneficial for overall recovery and can help reduce the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis. However, it does not directly address the immediate issue of nausea and vomiting.