Insight on a question I do not agree with

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2011

D is correct IMO ... you need to further assess how much they are drinking because it is their main concern that they are coming to you for. The patient talks about the amount of water as if it concerns them. Of course you question them; it's called an assessment.

Coulter630 · Jun 27, 2011

First, let me say that this is just a bad question, but we all know there are no "good" questions in nursing school. Now, I do think by the rest of the answers, this is a therapeutic communication question. By looking at that, I would think that questioning the client is a "no, no". Therefore, I would have gone with C because it more right than the others. Perhaps if it was worded a little differently.....for instance, option D saying How much water do you drink per day? Something like that, then I would've gone for D. Option C, again, needed to be worded differently. Like I said, I agree with the others that this is a poorly worded question. But, in the end, I think you have to dig deeper and assess. I personally wouldn't have questioned the client. It's a tricky question, one of those that you don't really know what exactly they are looking for in an answer.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2011

You can't fight bureaucracy and expect to win.

SouthernPoint · Jun 27, 2011

recent test had this question on it. i personally do not think that any of the responses are correct. teacher says option c. what do you think . . . .please back your response up with references.
a client says, "i drink so much water every day you'd think i would have diarrhea, not constipation!" an appropriate response for the nurse to make to this client is:
a. "you're obviously not drinking enough water!"
1st off that's just rude. that's 1 reason i would kick that one to the curb..
b. "you are dehydrated."
one can not come to this conclusion without an assessment..
c. "your body only absorbs about 1 liter of water a day."
there are many different factors for how much water ones body will need daily.. but 8 glasses of water a day is the recommendations (which is about 1.5liters)..
i would have to say c.. each answer is incorrect in some way.. this answer is the least incorrect than the others..
d. "are you sure you're drinking as much as you think you are?"

wow.. i honestly hope this isn't the correct answer.. this is just down right (or straight up) calling your patient a liar..

i can totally see why you are fighting this one.. i remember questions just like that when i was in school.. and you can show the instructor cold hard facts and they will not care your answer is still wrong and theirs is correct..

wish you the best of luck..

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 27, 2011

I think the question was aimed at diabetes, but all the responses are poorly worded, IMHO

morte, LPN, LVN · Jun 27, 2011

OP is correct, there is no correct answer. I had this happen in A&P, the instructor was adult and honest enough to agree.

Callisonanne · Jun 28, 2011

I had a teacher once that swore up and down I had answered a question wrong. It was a "put these in order" question and my teacher had incorrectly copied the book. Needless to say we argued for a long time before I explained to her she copied the book wrong and explained her incorrect reasoning. It was a joyous occasion :yeah: However, I lost many battles before I won just one of them haha

sameyjaney · Jun 28, 2011

When I saw this it made me think of the "therapeutic communication" questions when studying for the NCLEX.

A. Is confrontational and non-therapeutic

B. You do not have enough evidence to know if this is correct.

D. Is a non-therapeutic yes/no question that is also confrontational.

C. Is therapeutic because it gives the patient information. Whether this information is correct, I have absolutely no idea.

Butterfliesnroses · Jun 28, 2011

I think it's a crappy question! Yes as nurses we are supposed to therapeutically communicate BUT we shouldn't give incorrect information. Patient teaching is important as well!

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Jun 28, 2011

OP, your logic doesn't work though, if what you are saying is that "D would be correct if it were worded differently." It's NOT worded differently, therefore it is not the answer. I don't see how you're going to win this one.

Sorry, though, I do not have references to provide you.

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Jun 28, 2011

To Mandychelle79
If increasing water intake will not help the constipation then why we recommended to increase water intake to relieve constipation, and why we use enema to help with constipation ????......
Specially, Body does not "ABSORBS" 1 L per day, but it might "RETAIN" 1 L per day..........Because more than 1 L is going to absorb in only small intestine.....and more than that in the Large intestine.......

Giving a person an enema to relieve constipation has nothing to do with ingesting water by mouth. Totally different mechanism of action. Not sure how that relates?

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2011

But I didn't have to consider any type of water loss to know that the answer was physiologically wrong. The answer stated, "The body absorbs only 1 L per day," as if no more could be absorbed under any circumstances.
Even if I'm an office worker in a perfect temperature-controlled environment, I still need more than a liter a day to remain hydrated. If the body absorbs only 1 L per day, why do I need more?
ETA: I agree it's a bad question. :)

The answer certainly did NOT state "as if no more could be absorbed under any circumstances." Nor did it state that only 1 liter of water per day is needed. Remember, don't ask "What if?" and don't read into the question.

"If the body absorbs only 1 L per day, why do I need more?"

Because of continual insensible losses, GI losses and renal excretion. You seem to want to ingore these completely.

In any case, the answer does not imply that no one needs to drink more than a liter per day.