After completing an assessment of a 60-year-old man with a family ...

[ereecah]

After completing an assessment of a 60-year-old man with a family history of colon cancer, the nurse discusses with him early detection measures for colon cancer. The nurse should mention the need for a(n):
 
  a. Annual proctoscopy.
  b. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
  c. Fecal test for blood every 6 months.
  d. DREs every 2 years.

Question 2

A patient who is visiting the clinic complains of having stomach pains for 2 weeks and describes his stools as being soft and black for approximately the last 10 days. He denies taking any medications.
 
  The nurse is aware that these symptoms are mostly indicative of:
  a.
  Excessive fat caused by malabsorption.
  b.
  Increased iron intake, resulting from a change in diet.
  c.
  Occult blood, resulting from gastrointestinal bleeding.
  d.
  Absent bile pigment from liver problems.

[Chelseyj.hasty]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Early detection measures for colon cancer include a DRE performed annually after age 50 years, an annual fecal occult blood test after age 50 years, a sigmoidoscopic examination every 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10 years after age 50 years, and a PSA blood test annually for men over 50 years old, except beginning at age 45 years for black men (American Cancer Society, 2006).

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Black stools may be tarry as a result of occult blood (melena) from gastrointestinal bleeding or nontarry from ingestion of iron medications (not diet). Excessive fat causes the stool to become frothy. The absence of bile pigment causes clay-colored stools.

[ereecah]

Great answer, keep it coming

[bblaney]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it