Author Question: When teaching a patient about home testing for occult blood, the nurse instructs the patient that: ... (Read 145 times)

HudsonKB16 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

When teaching a patient about home testing for occult blood, the nurse instructs the patient that:

a. positive results are indicative of bleeding.
b. poultry and fish should be eaten before testing.
c. testing should be done carefully during the menstrual cycle.
d. two samples should be obtained from the same part of the stool specimen.

Question 2

A patient is concerned because her first guaiac test is positive. What information should the nurse share with the patient?

a. The patient probably has colorectal cancer.
b. The test needs to be repeated after she eats some red meat.
c. The test needs to be repeated at least 3 times.
d. The patient needs a low-residue diet to reduce intestinal abrasions.

princessflame2016 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Specimens will be positive if contaminated by menstrual blood or hemorrhoidal blood or povidone-iodine. A single positive test result does not confirm bleeding or indicate colorectal cancer. Diets rich in meats; green, leafy vegetables; poultry; and fish may produce false-positive results. Obtain a second fecal specimen from a different portion of the stool.

Answer to Question 2

C
A single positive test result does not confirm bleeding or indicate colorectal cancer. For confirmed positive results, the test must be repeated at least 3 times while the patient is on a meat-free, high-residue diet. More in-depth diagnosis is needed with a positive result.