Which client condition would require careful monitoring by a licensed nurse?

The condition involving a bowel management issue necessitates careful monitoring by a licensed nurse due to several reasons. Bowel management involves monitoring for complications such as constipation, diarrhea, or fecal impaction, which can lead to significant discomfort and other health issues if not addressed promptly. The nurse's role includes assessing bowel patterns, administering medications if needed, promoting healthy bowel habits, and intervening when complications arise.

Clients with bowel issues may also have underlying health concerns or may have had surgeries that affect their bowel function, increasing the complexity of their care. Ongoing assessment and management are essential to ensure that the client remains comfortable and that their nutritional status is maintained.

In contrast, clients needing ambulation, routine blood tests, or outpatient therapy, while still requiring attention, do not usually pose the same risk level that demands such close monitoring as those with bowel management issues. These situations may involve routine observations and follow-ups, but they lack the immediate and potentially serious complications associated with bowel management.