Use the case study information provided to answer this question. > The client’s bowel surgery has been completed, and he now has a colostomy present. Which statement by the client indicates his understanding of the care requirements for his colostomy at home?

“I should empty the bag before it is full.”

“Once the bag is changed, I don’t have to worry about it for a few weeks.”

“It’s best to change my bag right after a meal.”

“I have to change the colostomy system each time there is stool in it.”

Question 56 of the Coordinated Care Practice Test for the NCLEX-PN Exam

Intro to Case

A 68-year-old male client was recently admitted to the medical-surgical unit that you work on as an LPN. The client tells you he has not had a bowel movement in seven days, and he states, “I haven’t even been passing gas the last few days.” He states he has not been able to eat in three days because of how uncomfortable he feels. He has only been able to drink sips of water.

Nurse’s Notes

1000: Client is vomiting bile and states his abdominal pain is 8/10. He describes his pain as “cramping.” Client states, “I feel like my stomach is going to explode.” Client is grimacing and holding his abdomen. Client is reluctant to allow assessment on abdomen and states, please don’t push on my belly.” Transport arrived to take client down for CT scan of abdomen.

1045: CT scan completed, and client in room guarding abdomen and complaining of 8/10 cramping pain. NG tube placed without complication to left nostril. 500 ml yellowish-green fluid immediately drained into canister after NG tube placement. NG tube placed on low-intermittent suction as ordered. Peripheral IV placed in left anterior forearm. Educated client that he is on strict NPO status for bowel rest and explained to client what this means. Client states, “I can’t eat or drink anything anyway, so that won’t be a problem.” Continuous IV fluids initiated as ordered. Lactated Ringer’s solution administered at 250 ml/hr. IV Morphine 2 mg administered for abdominal pain, Tylenol suppository given as ordered for fever, and IV Amoxicillin administered as ordered.

1100: The client is resting in bed with eyes closed. He states his pain has decreased to 3/10 after pain medication. MD notified nurse that client will be going to surgery for small bowel obstruction. MD at client’s bedside explaining risks and benefits of bowel surgery and signing surgical consent with client.

Lab Values

Laboratory Tests, Reference Ranges, and Imaging	1000	1030
Potassium (3.5 - 5.2)	3.3
Magnesium (1.46 - 2.68)	1.2
Albumen (3.4 - 5.4)	3.0
WBC (4,500 - 11,000)	12,000
CT scan of abdomen		Closed-loop bowel obstruction noted by radiologist

History and Physical

Body System	Findings
Neurological	AAOx3, client recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Gastrointestinal	Distended abd, hyperactive bowel sounds, vomiting bile, history of Crohn’s disease for past 10 years
Psychological	The client does not have family members that live close. He has a sister that is the closest living relative that lives 6 hours away and hasn’t talked to client in ten years. Client has a history of alcohol abuse.

Vital Signs

	1000	1100
T	101.5°F	99.3°F
P	121	102
BP	185/98	134/76
RR	22	20
SpO2	96%	95%

Question 56 - Coordinated Care Practice Test for the NCLEX-PN Exam

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