ATI LPN Maternity Exam
ATI LPN Maternity Exam ( 79 Questions)
A nurse is speaking on the phone to a client on the phone who is pregnant and taking iron supplements for iron-deficiency anemia. The client reports that her stools are black but she has no abdominal pain or cramping. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
rationale:
Going to the emergency room for black stools without abdominal pain or cramping is not warranted in this situation.
rationale:
Having the client come to the office to check things out may not be necessary since black stools can be an expected side effect of iron supplements and do not necessarily indicate a problem.
rationale:
Asking about the client's diet is a valid question, but the black stools are likely due to iron supplements' effects and not related to dietary choices.
rationale:
Black stools are a known side effect of iron supplements. When iron is broken down during digestion, it can cause the stools to appear black or dark. As the client has no other concerning symptoms like abdominal pain or cramping, this response by the nurse reassures the client that the finding is expected and not a cause for alarm.
Choice A rationale:
Going to the emergency room for black stools without abdominal pain or cramping is not warranted in this situation.
Choice B rationale:
Having the client come to the office to check things out may not be necessary since black stools can be an expected side effect of iron supplements and do not necessarily indicate a problem.
Choice C rationale:
Asking about the client's diet is a valid question, but the black stools are likely due to iron supplements' effects and not related to dietary choices.
Choice D rationale:
Black stools are a known side effect of iron supplements. When iron is broken down during digestion, it can cause the stools to appear black or dark. As the client has no other concerning symptoms like abdominal pain or cramping, this response by the nurse reassures the client that the finding is expected and not a cause for alarm.