What would be a critical focus for a nurse caring for an adolescent with cystic fibrosis after a recent hospitalization?

The focus on assessing the adequacy of the child's pancreatic enzyme therapy is crucial for an adolescent with cystic fibrosis, especially after a recent hospitalization. Cystic fibrosis often leads to pancreatic insufficiency, where the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes necessary for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. This can result in poor growth, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal distress.

After hospitalization, it is particularly important to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct dosage of pancreatic enzymes to maintain optimal nutritional status and support recovery. If these enzymes are not adequately administered, the patient may experience further complications, including issues such as fatty stools or abdominal pain, and may have difficulty gaining weight.

While monitoring for blood in stool, encouraging regular physical activity, and planning meals that accommodate dietary restrictions are also important aspects of care for adolescents with cystic fibrosis, the immediate concern following hospitalization should be ensuring that pancreatic enzyme therapy is effectively managing the child's nutritional needs. This direct focus on enzyme therapy addresses a core complication of cystic fibrosis that can have significant implications for the patient’s overall health.