A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the mother of a child who has cystic fibrosis and is to take pancreatic enzymes three times per day. Which of the following statements indicates the mother understands the information?
Explanation & Rationale
A. This statement indicates that the mother understands the purpose of giving pancreatic enzymes to her child with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis can cause pancreatic insufficiency, leading to difficulty digesting fats and other nutrients. Pancreatic enzymes help to supplement the deficient digestive enzymes, aiding in the digestion of fats and improving nutrient absorption. B. Pancreatic enzyme capsules are typically meant to be swallowed whole, not chewed. Chewing the capsules could affect their effectiveness by prematurely releasing the enzymes in the mouth rather than in the stomach where they are needed for digestion. C. While pancreatic enzymes can help with digestion and may indirectly reduce symptoms like nausea by improving nutrient absorption, their primary purpose is not to prevent nausea. D. Pancreatic enzymes are usually taken with meals or snacks to aid in the digestion of food. The timing of pancreatic enzyme administration may vary depending on the child's eating schedule and the specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider, but taking them 2 hours before meals would not typically be recommended.