Aclient reports a loss of 20 pounds (9 kilograms) in three months and black, tarry stools. a colonoscopy is scheduled. what instructions does the nurse give to prepare the client for this test?

The colonoscopy requires a very thorough and very thorough preparation, essential the reliability of the examination.

On the day of the colonoscopy, the inside of the colon must be perfectly clean so that the doctor operator can view his walls correctly. Otherwise, the examination would not be interpretable.

*A no-residue diet can be requested 48 hours before the exam.

*The day before, it consists in the rapid ingestion, in less than one hour, of twice two (2x2) liters of a purgative saline solution which causes diarrhea. Its ingestion must allow obtaining clear evacuations without risk of hyperhydration.

*The morning of the operation must be and remain strictly fasting (without drinking, eating or smoking).

The colonoscopy will take place between two and four hours after the end of the preparation.  

A pre-anesthesia consultation is necessary: it takes stock of all your other health problems or possible allergies.  

It is contraindicated in cases where narrowing (stenosis) of the digestive tract is suspected.  

The nurse should instruct the patient to start eating a low-fiber diet a few days (3-5 days) before the colonoscopy procedure. This is to compact the stool before bowel prep. One day before the colonoscopy procedure, around 12-24 hours before the schedule test, the patient must be instructed to be on clear liquids such as water, clear juice, clear soft drinks (i.e. Sprite), etc. And drinks with orange and red color/dye should be avoided. On the day of the procedure, the patient should only have clear liquids only. The patient should be placed on nothing per orem 6 hours before the procedure. The patient will be given a prep drink that will cause extreme diarrhea to the patient. The nurse should advice the patient to have a companion to take or drive the patient home since the patient will be sedated. The patient will also be given instruction regarding his or her medications, what to take, how to take, and when to take the medications.