End
1 :

6 months ago, 0845:

Client is alert and oriented. Physical assessment shows diminished lung sounds bilaterally; no adventitious sounds noted. Hypoactive bowel sounds, abdomen soft. Client reports issues with constipation. Last bowel movement was 4 days ago. Skin is warm and dry. Client educated about ways to prevent constipation. Will schedule another appointment in 6 months.

Today, 1030:

Client is alert and oriented but states they feel tired. Lung sounds clear bilaterally; no adventitious sounds noted. Hypoactive bowel sounds, abdomen distended. Client reports abdominal pain and rates it as 4 on a scale of O to I O. Continues to have constipation and states stools are dark brown to black in color and ribbon-like. Last bowel movement was 4 days ago.

6 months ago, 0845:

Blood pressure 130/78 mm Hg

Heart rate 88/min

Respiratory rate 16/min

Oxygen saturation 98% on room air

Temperature 35.9°C (96.7°F)

Height 152.4 cm (60 in)

weight 112.7 kg (248 lb)

Today, 1030:

Blood pressure 88/58 mm Hg

Heart rate 108/min

Respiratory rate 24/min

Oxygen saturation 96% on room air

Temperature 37.2°C (99.0°F)

Height 152.4 cm (60 in)

Weight 110 kg (220 lb)

6 months ago, 0845:

Hemoglobin 12.5 g/dL (12 to 16 g/dL)

Hematocrit 38% (37% to 47%)

Potassium 3.8 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L)

Sodium 140 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L

Calcium 10.3 mg/dL (9.0 to 10.5 mg/dL)

Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL (0.5 to 1.2 mg/dL)

BUN 17 mg/dL (IO to 20 mg/dL)

Glucose 129 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)

Today  ,1030:

Hemoglobin 7.5 g/dL (12 to 16 g/dL)

Hematocrit 33% (37% to 47%)

Potassium 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L)

Sodium 136 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L

Calcium 10.4 mg/dL (9.0 to 10.5 mg/dL)

Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL (0.5 to 1.2 mg/dL)

BIJN 22 mg/dL (10 to 20 mg/dL)

Glucose 110 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)

6 months ago, 0845:

A 78-year-old client was seen in the clinic today for a physical.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Ulcerative colitis

Family history.

Brother died of colon cancer 2 years ago.

Social history.

1 pack a day cigarette smoker for the past SO years

Drinks a 6-pack of beer after work every day


Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the health care provider? Select all that apply.


Answer Options

Hint : 🩸 Black stool + low Hgb.

Correct Answers:

  • Weight
  • Frequency of bowel movements
  • Hemoglobin
  • Stool color
  • Pain
  • Blood pressure


Rationale :

Weight

🔷 The client’s weight dropped from 112.7 kg (248 lb) to 110 kg (220 lb), which is a significant unintentional weight loss.

🔷 Unplanned weight loss in an older adult raises concern for malignancy or chronic GI disease progression.

🔷 In the context of ribbon-like stools and dark stools, weight loss strengthens suspicion for a possible colonic mass or GI bleeding source.

🔷 Weight trends help the provider assess nutritional decline and severity of illness.

🔷 Reporting this supports urgent evaluation and expedited diagnostic workup.

Frequency of bowel movements

🔷 The client reports no bowel movement for 4 days with ongoing constipation and abdominal distention.

🔷 Persistent constipation with new stool caliber changes (ribbon-like) is concerning for bowel obstruction or colon tumor.

🔷 Hypoactive bowel sounds and distention suggest slowed GI motility that may be worsening.

🔷 This pattern requires prompt provider assessment to prevent complications like impaction or obstruction.

🔷 Reporting frequency changes helps guide urgent imaging, GI referral, and interventions.

Hemoglobin

🔷 The hemoglobin dropped sharply from 12.5 g/dL to 7.5 g/dL, indicating severe anemia.

🔷 This degree of anemia can cause fatigue, tachycardia, and shortness of breath, which the client is demonstrating.

🔷 Such a rapid decline strongly suggests active or chronic blood loss, especially with dark stools.

🔷 A hemoglobin this low may require urgent management such as type and screen, iron studies, transfusion evaluation, and investigation for bleeding.

🔷 Immediate reporting is critical because it represents a high-risk, potentially unstable condition.

Stool color

🔷 The client reports stools that are dark brown to black, which can indicate melena (upper GI bleeding) or significant GI blood loss.

🔷 In combination with severe anemia (Hgb 7.5), stool color strongly supports a bleeding source.

🔷 The stool is also described as ribbon-like, which increases concern for a colonic narrowing/mass.

🔷 Stool color changes are a key red-flag symptom that requires prompt diagnostic evaluation.

🔷 Reporting this helps prioritize urgent testing such as fecal occult blood, colonoscopy planning, and stabilization.

Pain

🔷 The client now reports abdominal pain (4/10) with distention and chronic constipation.

🔷 New or worsening abdominal pain with altered stool caliber can indicate obstruction, inflammation, or malignancy-related narrowing.

🔷 Pain plus hypoactive bowel sounds suggests decreased GI movement and possible progression of a serious condition.

🔷 In an older adult with ulcerative colitis and family history of colon cancer, abdominal pain warrants urgent escalation.

🔷 Reporting pain supports timely imaging and GI evaluation to prevent deterioration.

Blood pressure

🔷 The blood pressure is 88/58 mm Hg, which is hypotension and clinically significant.

🔷 Hypotension with tachycardia (108/min) and low hemoglobin suggests possible hemodynamic compromise from blood loss.

🔷 This combination indicates reduced oxygen delivery and risk of shock, especially in an older adult.

🔷 Immediate reporting allows rapid intervention (IV access, fluids, further labs, possible transfer).

🔷 This is a priority red flag because it signals potential instability.

Potassium

🔷Potassium is 3.5 mEq/L, which is within the expected reference range (low-normal) and not the most urgent abnormality.

🔷 It should be monitored, but it does not explain the severe anemia and hypotension requiring immediate escalation.

Blood glucose

🔷 Glucose is 110 mg/dL, only slightly above the reference range and not an immediate threat compared with hypotension and hemoglobin decline.

🔷 The current urgent concern is potential GI bleeding/colon pathology, not acute glucose instability.


Distractor Analysis :

Rationale for Incorrect Options to be Available Soon

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