The nurse caring for a patient with Crohn’s disease determines that the teaching was successful when, after teaching the patient and her family about this condition, the nurse sees they identify which of the following as a possible complication?

Choice A reason: Reduced liver function is not a common complication of Crohn’s disease. While some liver-related conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis may co-occur with inflammatory bowel disease, they are more commonly associated with ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s disease. Choice B reason: Pancreatitis is not a typical complication of Crohn’s disease. Although Crohn’s can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatic involvement is rare and not a primary concern in disease management. Choice C reason: Stricture formation is a well-known complication of Crohn’s disease. Chronic inflammation leads to fibrosis and narrowing of the intestinal lumen, which can cause bowel obstruction and require surgical intervention. This reflects the transmural nature of Crohn’s pathology, distinguishing it from ulcerative colitis. Choice D reason: Gallstones may occur in patients with Crohn’s disease, especially when the terminal ileum is involved, affecting bile salt absorption. However, this is a secondary complication and less common than strictures, which are more directly related to the disease’s inflammatory and fibrotic processes.