Question

The nurse is planning care for a client with inflammatory bowel disease. What problem is priority for the nurse to address when caring for this client?

1) Fatigue
2) Impaired nutrition
3) Impaired fluid balance
4) Impaired skin integrity

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize addressing impaired nutrition in a client with inflammatory bowel disease, due to the autoimmune nature of the conditions and their effects on the gastrointestinal tract, leading to potential malnutrition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority problem for the nurse to address when caring for a client with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is impaired nutrition. Inflammatory bowel diseases are autoimmune disorders where the immune system attacks the intestines, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Due to the inflammatory process, the body's ability to absorb nutrients is compromised, resulting in potential malnutrition. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum. Consequently, impaired nutrition must be addressed to prevent complications like weight loss and nutrient deficiencies. To ensure adequate nutritional intake, the nurse may plan interventions such as dietary modifications, the use of nutritional supplements, or the monitoring of nutrient levels.