Post-Colonoscopy: Dealing with Minor Bleeding

What should the nurse's most helpful response be regarding slight bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal?

Following a colonoscopy with polyp removal, the wife of the patient is distressed that there is slight bleeding from her husband's rectum. The nurse's most helpful response would be?

1. "I understand your concern. It's not uncommon to experience some minor bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal. We'll monitor it closely."
2. "I'll inform the doctor about the bleeding right away. They'll assess the situation and take any necessary steps to address it."
3. "You can try applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth to the area to help stop the bleeding. If it continues or worsens, please let us know immediately."
4. "After a polyp removal, a little bleeding can happen. It's important to keep an eye on it, and if it persists or gets worse, please don't hesitate to call for assistance."

Final Answer:

Minor bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal is common. The nurse's response should include an explanation, reassurance, addressing the situation with the doctor, and providing advice on how to potentially stop the bleeding.

It's understandable concern for the wife of the patient to worry about the slight bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal. However, this is fairly common and can occur due to the removal of the polyp. The best response from the nurse would ideally be a combination of all options which includes reassurance, informing the doctor about the situation, and also advising on steps that could be taken to help stop the bleeding, such as applying gentle pressure. For instance, 'I understand your concern. It's not uncommon to experience some minor bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal. I'll inform the doctor about the bleeding right away, and they'll assess the situation. Meanwhile, you can try applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth to the area. If the bleeding continues or worsens, please don't hesitate to let us know immediately.'

The most helpful response would be to reassure the wife about the commonality of minor bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal, inform her that they will monitor it closely, and encourage her to report if it worsens. Hence, the response could be: 'I understand your concern and it's not uncommon to experience some minor bleeding after a colonoscopy with polyp removal. We'll monitor it closely. If the bleeding persists or gets worse, please don't hesitate to inform us so that we can take the necessary steps.'

It's crucial to maintain open and calm communication with the patient's family members, always ensuring that their worries and fears are acknowledged and addressed properly.