Question

A client needs to have a fecal occult blood test (Hemoccult) performed on three consecutive bowel movements. To prepare the client for this test, the nurse provides information about the required dietary restrictions. For 4 days before the test, which foods should the client avoid?

a. Poultry, red meat, and turnips
b. Dairy products, leafy greens, and beans
c. Citrus fruits, whole grains, and nuts
d. Coffee, chocolate, and spicy foods

Answer 1

For the fecal occult blood test (Hemoccult), a client should avoid poultry, red meat, and turnips for 4 days beforehand to prevent false positives. These foods are known to affect the test results due to their hemoglobin content or peroxidase activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prepare for a fecal occult blood test (Hemoccult), which needs to be performed on three consecutive bowel movements, the client should avoid certain foods for 4 days before the test. The client should avoid consuming poultry, red meat, and turnips, as they can cause false positives in the test due to their potential to introduce non-human hemoglobin or peroxidase activity in the stool. Specifically, red meat contains blood and muscles with hemoglobin that can be detected by the test. Similarly, certain vegetables like turnips and horseradish contain peroxidase, an enzyme which can also trigger a false positive result. Dairy products, citrus fruits, coffee, and other unrelated foods do not typically need to be avoided unless specified by the doctor for other reasons. By adhering to the dietary restrictions provided, the client can help ensure the accuracy of the test results.