A nurse is providing instructions about bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG) for a client who is going to have a colonoscopy. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A.
“Drink 400 ml every hour until bowel movements are clear”
B.
“Expect bowel movements to begin 3 hr following completion of solution. “
C.
“To prevent dehydration, drink an additional liter of fluid during preparation time. “
D.
“Abdominal bloating might occur”
For bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG) prior to a colonoscopy, the nurse should include the following information:
C. “To prevent dehydration, drink an additional liter of fluid during preparation time.”
Explanation:
- A. “Drink 400 ml every hour until bowel movements are clear”: This statement is incorrect as it does not reflect the typical dosing regimen for PEG solutions. Clients are usually instructed to drink a specific volume over a period of time, not hourly, and follow the directions on the specific PEG preparation.
- B. “Expect bowel movements to begin 3 hr following completion of solution”: This is not accurate as bowel movements usually begin within 1 to 2 hours after starting the PEG solution, not necessarily 3 hours after completion.
- C. “To prevent dehydration, drink an additional liter of fluid during preparation time”: This is accurate. It’s important to stay hydrated while using PEG because the solution can lead to significant fluid loss.
- D. “Abdominal bloating might occur”: While abdominal bloating can be a side effect, it is not a primary instruction to include when preparing the client. It is more relevant to reassure the client about possible side effects rather than instruct them on managing this specific symptom.
Thus, C is the best answer as it addresses the need to prevent dehydration, which is a crucial aspect of the preparation process with PEG.