Final answer:
A nurse should obtain a stool sample to determine the cause of black, tarry stools, assess for infectious agents, and consider the possibility of gastrointestinal bleeding or colorectal cancer by gauging symptoms and possibly recommending a colonoscopy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client arrives at the emergency department after experiencing several black, tarry stools, the nurse should assess for the cause of these stools, which could be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding or other serious conditions. The color and consistency of the stools can be caused by blood that has been digested as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, often originating from an upper source like the stomach or the small intestine. One of the first steps is to obtain a stool sample, which can be analyzed to identify possible causative agents and the presence of blood. Additionally, a history of recent illness or changes in diet, medication use, and other symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever should be examined to help determine the possible cause.
Considering the provided information about a recent spike in cases of acute gastroenteritis-like symptoms, a stool analysis could also help in identifying outbreaks of specific infectious agents, such as C. jejuni, Salmonella, or E. histolytica. Furthermore, the nurse should be aware of the signs of colorectal cancer, which can include black, tarry stools due to rectal bleeding. A colonoscopy may be suggested, especially if there is a family history of gastrointestinal diseases, as a diagnostic measure that can both identify and potentially treat pre-malignant conditions.