After taking orlistat for one week, a female client tells the home health nurse that she is experiencing increasingly frequent oily stools and flatus. Which action should the nurse take?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: This is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take. Increasing the intake of saturated fats will worsen the side effects of orlistat, which inhibits the absorption of fats in the intestine. The client should be advised to follow a low-fat diet while taking orlistat.Choice B reason: This is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take. Oily stools and flatus are common and expected side effects of orlistat, and they do not indicate a serious adverse reaction. The client does not need to stop taking the drug or contact her healthcare provider unless the symptoms are severe or persistent.Choice C reason: This is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take. Obtaining a stool specimen to evaluate for occult blood and fat content is not necessary for a client taking orlistat. The presence of fat in the stool is normal and expected with orlistat, and there is no evidence of bleeding in the client's case.Choice D reason: This is the appropriate action for the nurse to take. Asking the client to describe her dietary intake history for the last several days will help the nurse assess the client's compliance with the recommended low-fat diet and provide education and counseling as needed. The nurse can also monitor the client's weight loss progress and adjust the dosage of orlistat accordingly.