A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of colon cancer. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale: A. Steatorrhea: Steatorrhea, or fatty stools, is typically associated with malabsorption syndromes, pancreatic insufficiency, or biliary disorders rather than colon cancer. While some advanced gastrointestinal cancers may affect digestion, colon cancer usually presents with bleeding or changes in bowel habits rather than fat malabsorption. B. Weight gain: Colon cancer more commonly causes unintentional weight loss due to decreased appetite, metabolic demands of the tumor, and malabsorption. Weight gain is not an expected finding and may indicate unrelated factors such as fluid retention rather than the cancer itself. C. Hematochezia: Hematochezia, the passage of bright red blood in the stool, is a common finding in colon cancer, especially when tumors are located in the distal colon or rectum. The bleeding may be intermittent and accompanied by changes in stool caliber or shape, reflecting disruption of the intestinal mucosa by the tumor. D. Elevated hemoglobin: Colon cancer often causes chronic blood loss, which can lead to anemia rather than elevated hemoglobin levels. A decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit are expected findings, particularly in clients with ongoing occult bleeding from the tumor.