Editing Reduction of Risk Potential – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 12==
A client had a barium swallow study this morning. Which instruction should the nurse reinforce?
# "Avoid fluids for the rest of the day so the barium stays in place."
# "Drink extra fluids and take the laxative that was ordered; your stools will look chalky white for a few days."
# "Report bright red stools immediately, since that is caused by the barium."
# "Stay on bed rest until the barium is fully absorbed into your bloodstream."

'''Answer:''' Option 2. Drink extra fluids and take the ordered laxative, and expect chalky white stools for a few days.

''Rationale:'' Barium hardens in the bowel and can cause constipation or impaction, so fluids and a laxative are used to clear it, and light-colored stools are expected temporarily. Option 1 promotes impaction. Option 3 is inaccurate, since barium lightens stool rather than causing bright red blood, and bright red stool would indicate bleeding. Option 4 is incorrect because barium is not absorbed systemically and mobility helps elimination.