MEDizzy - The client is admitted to the hospital complaining of

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The Gastrointestinal System

The client is admitted to the hospital complaining of malaise, abdominal discomfort, and severe diarrhea. The diagnosis is possible Crohn’s disease. The client says that he has lost 27 pounds in the last four months even though he has not been dieting. To plan nursing care, which assessment data are most essential for the nurse to obtain?

ExplanationIt is most important for the nurse to know how many stools he has been having each day. Frequent stools are characteristic of Crohn’s disease and may cause dehydration and skin breakdown. The nurse may want to know how much liquid he has been consuming, but that is not the most important information. Previous gastric surgery is not usually related to Crohn’s disease. Bowel sounds may be assessed but are not the most important assessment data.