Final answer:
The nurse should identify risk factors for persistent diarrhea, including dehydration, recent travel to a foreign country, antibiotic use, consumption of contaminated food or water, and family history of gastrointestinal disorders. A blood test may show signs of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and markers of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has persistent diarrhea, there are several risk factors to be identified. Among them, dehydration is a primary concern, as persistent diarrhea can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss. Another risk factor is recent travel to a foreign country, as this could expose the individual to pathogens not commonly encountered in their home environment.
The use of antibiotics could also be a risk factor since it may disrupt normal gut flora, leading to overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridioides difficile. In addition, the consumption of contaminated food or water is a common way of acquiring an infection that could cause diarrhea. Finally, a family history of gastrointestinal disorders can suggest a genetic predisposition to certain conditions that could manifest as diarrhea.
A blood test in a patient who has been suffering from chronic, watery diarrhea for 2 months is likely to reveal signs of dehydration, potential electrolyte imbalances, and depending on the pathogen, may show markers of infection such as an elevated white blood cell count.