Question

A client has not had a bowel movement in 2 days and reports this information to the nurse. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. Instruct the caregiver to offer a glass of warm prune juice at mealtimes.
B. Notify the HCP and request a prescription for a stool softener
C. Assess the client's medical record to determine his normal bowel pattern.
D. Instruct the caregiver to increase the client's fluids to five 8 ounce glasses per day.

Answer 1

The nurse should first instruct the caregiver to increase the client's fluids to promote bowel movement and prevent constipation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should first implement the intervention of instructing the caregiver to increase the client's fluids to five 8 ounce glasses per day.

Increasing fluid intake can help soften the stool and promote bowel movement. This intervention is safe and non-invasive, and it addresses the potential issue of dehydration, which can worsen constipation.

Assessing the client's medical record to determine his normal bowel pattern or notifying the healthcare provider and requesting a prescription for a stool softener can be done after implementing the initial intervention of increasing fluid intake.