The nurse is assessing a patient who has a past medical history of Crohn's disease. The patient was admitted for surgical placement of an ileostomy. The patient is 84 hours post-operative. During the assessment, the nurse observes watery stool in the ostomy bag. What is the nurse's best action?

A. Call the provider to report an abnormal finding in the ostomy bag: While watery output may be concerning in some contexts, in the early post-operative period after an ileostomy (within the first week), high-volume, watery stool is expected. Immediate notification of the provider is not required unless there are signs of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or other complications. B. Instruct the patient that they need to limit their fluid intake: Restricting fluids in a patient with a newly formed ileostomy can increase the risk of dehydration. Early post-operative ileostomy output is typically liquid due to the absence of the colon for water absorption, and maintaining adequate hydration is essential to prevent hypovolemia. C. Document this as an expected finding in the ostomy bag: Watery stool is a normal finding 3–5 days post-ileostomy placement because the small intestine produces liquid effluent and the colon, which normally absorbs water, is bypassed. Proper documentation and patient education about expected output and monitoring for dehydration are important components of care. D. Instruct the patient that they need to eat a high fiber diet: A high-fiber diet is generally introduced gradually and is not appropriate in the immediate post-operative period. Early high-fiber intake may increase ostomy output, cause obstruction, or irritate the healing bowel, so dietary adjustments should be individualized and guided by the provider.