After taking orlistat for one week, a female patient tells the home health nurse that she is experiencing increasingly frequent oily stools and gas.What action should the nurse take?

Choice A rationaleIf a patient is experiencing increasingly frequent oily stools and gas after taking orlistat for one week, the nurse should ask the patient to describe her dietary intake history for the lastseveral days. Orlistat works by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats, which are then excreted in the stool. Consuming a diet high in fat can increase the side effects of orlistat, which include oily or fatty stools and gas.Choice B rationaleAdvising the patient to stop taking the drug and contact her healthcare provider is not the first step. The nurse should first assess the patient’s dietary habits as the side effects may be due to a high-fat diet.Choice C rationaleInstructing the patient to increase her intake of saturated fats over the next week is not advisable. A high-fat diet can increase the side effects of orlistat.Choice D rationaleObtaining a stool specimen to evaluate for occult blood and fat content is not necessary in this case. The symptoms described by the patient are common side effects of orlistat and can often be managed by adjusting the diet.