The nursing assistant is caring for a client diagnosed with cancer who has constipation because of the around-the-clock narcotic analgesics the client needs to take to relieve pain. The client has no dietary restrictions. What intervention should the nursing assistant provide?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant should offer 2 to 3 L of fluid per day of noncaffeinated drinks of the client's choice to help keep adequate fluid in the bowels to prevent the stool from becoming too dry. The nurse, with a physician's order, may provide a laxative of choice or encourage the additional use of non-narcotic analgesics in between doses of narcotics to help decrease the number of narcotic dosage, which slow bowel motility. Applesauce, tea, and white toast are used when a client has diarrhea to decrease bowel motility.

The Nursing Assistant Is Caring for a Client Diagnosed with Cancer