Final answer:
Option C. The nurse's discharge instructions for a client with chronic pancreatitis should emphasize avoiding alcohol and caffeine, adopting a low-fat diet, and understanding that frothy, fatty stools indicate a problem, not effective enzyme replacement. Blood tests may be used to monitor pancreatic function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse performing discharge teaching for a client with chronic pancreatitis should include the following information: Avoid alcohol consumption as chronic alcohol use can be a cause of inflammation; avoid caffeine as it may exacerbate symptoms; adopt a low-fat diet that is high in carbohydrates and proteins but low in fat to facilitate digestion and reduce the load on the pancreas; and note that frothy, fatty stools (steatorrhea) typically indicate malabsorption of fats due to insufficient pancreatic enzyme activity, not that enzyme replacement is working effectively.
In addition to dietary modifications, blood tests to measure levels of pancreatic enzymes like amylase and lipase may be utilized to monitor the function of the pancreas and the efficacy of treatments. The pancreas secretes many digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize the acidic environment in the small intestine, facilitating the chemical digestion of nutrients. Bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juices help neutralize acidic chyme and provide an optimal environment for enzymatic activity.