Final answer:
The nurse should monitor the client for signs of bleeding and immediately report any abnormal findings, such as black, tarry stool or fresh blood, to the physician.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a male client who has received thrombolytic medication following a myocardial infarction (MI) has a bowel movement, the nurse should carefully monitor the client for any signs of bleeding. Thrombolytic agents, such as tissue plasminogen activators, work by dissolving blood clots and can increase the risk of bleeding. During a bowel movement, the straining could potentially increase the risk of hemorrhage in susceptible areas, such as the gastrointestinal tract or any recent puncture sites from medical procedures.
It is essential for the nurse to observe the stool for any abnormal signs, like black, tarry stools or the presence of fresh blood, which could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. Additional precautions include advising the client to avoid straining and to use a softening agent if necessary. In the case of any bleeding signs, the nurse should immediately report it to the physician for further evaluation and intervention.