The nurse caring for a patient with chronic leukemia in an acute care setting. The patient asks the nurse to observe the patient's last bowel movement as it is very dark. The nurse immediately contacts the primary health care provider (HCP). What would explain the nurse's action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse's concern for a gastrointestinal bleed is warranted because dark stools can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This is a serious condition that requires immediate attention, especially in a patient with chronic leukemia who may already be at an increased risk for bleeding due to the disease's impact on blood cells and clotting factors.

The Nurse Caring for a Patient with Chronic Leukemia in an Acute