Final answer:
The nurse would expect a client with intussusception to exhibit symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, and especially frequent bloody stools, which may resemble red currant jelly. This symptom is a result of mucosal injury and is considered a medical emergency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Intussusception
Intussusception is a serious condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine, much like the pieces of a telescope. This 'telescoping' often blocks food or fluid from passing through. The nurse would expect a client with intussusception to exhibit symptoms such as abdominal pain and swelling, vomiting, and a very distinct symptom – frequent bloody stools, which may resemble red currant jelly. In addition to these symptoms, lethargy and irritability might also be present.
The presence of frequent bloody stools is particularly alarming and indicates severe intestinal distress. It may occur due to mucosal injury within the intestine, which leads to blood and mucus mixing into the stool. This symptom demands immediate medical attention. Infants and young children are most commonly affected by this condition, but it can occur in adults as well. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or x-ray.
Inflammatory conditions of the GI tract, like diverticulitis or infections, can also present with bloody stools, but the acute and severe presentation of intussusception with its other associated symptoms like abdominal pain makes it a unique clinical diagnosis.