Question

The client calls the nurse and is very frantic. "I think something is wrong! My stools are black and they have never been this color before!" The client is receiving ferrous sulfate (Feosol). What is the best response by the nurse?

1. "This is an expected side effect of ferrous sulfate (Feosol); it is okay."
2. "This sounds serious; you may have started bleeding again."
3. "Do you have hemorrhoids? That could be the problem."
4. "I will speak with your doctor and call you right back."

Answer 1

The best response by the nurse would be to explain that the change in stool color is an expected side effect of the medication and is not a cause for concern.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse would be: "This is an expected side effect of ferrous sulfate (Feosol); it is okay."

Feosol is an iron supplement commonly used to treat iron deficiency anemia. One of the side effects of taking ferrous sulfate is dark or black stools. This is because iron can cause the stool to change color.

It is important for the nurse to reassure the client that this is a normal and expected side effect of the medication, as it can help alleviate the client's concerns and anxieties.