Final answer:
For a 50-year-old client's annual physical examination, the fecal occult blood test is commonly recommended as part of routine colorectal cancer screening. Other tests such as CEA testing, CT scans, and endoscopy may be more specific to particular patient histories or symptoms and not standard for a routine check-up.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is preparing a 50-year-old client for an annual physical examination. Among the diagnostic tests that can be discussed and taught to the client, the fecal occult blood test is commonly recommended. This test is carried out as part of a regular screening for colorectal cancer, especially in individuals over 50 years of age. It helps in detecting hidden blood in the feces, which could be an indication of polyps or colorectal cancer.
On the other hand, while carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing can be helpful in monitoring for the return of bowel cancer in patients with a history of treated bowel cancer, it may not necessarily be part of a standard annual physical examination for an individual without prior cancer. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and endoscopy are other diagnostic methods but tend to be more specific or invasive and are typically not part of a routine annual check-up unless indicated by the patient's history or symptoms.