There are many foods not to be ingested just prior to FOBT, prunes are fine to eat. Red meat, broccoli, cantaloupe, beets, turnips, carrots, horseradish and several others may alter the test results and should be avoided before a FOBT. 

Diverticulitis is the most common cause of lower GI bleeds. Peritonitis and bowel obstruction are possible complications, but not most commonly associated with diverticulitis. Renal failure and severe diarrhea are not complications of diverticulitis.

This patient is experiencing signs of appendicitis, which include periumbilical abdominal pain (usually originating in the right lower quadrant), anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and a low-grade fever. Appendicitis is frequently diagnosed in young children and young adults with these symptoms and a white blood cell count from . The nurse should be most concerned if the pain has suddenly ceased, which may be a sign of perforation, which is an emergency due to hemorrhage and infection risks.

Without treatment, appendicitis can lead to peritonitis or perforation. Typical signs and symptoms of appendicitis include periumbilical abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, localized tenderness, muscle guarding, and low-grade fever. The normal WBC count for a patient with appendicitis ranges from . The nurse caring for a patient with appendicitis should always be aware of particularly concerning signs or symptoms of peritonitis, especially those that differ from established baseline signs and symptoms. Many of the symptoms of appendicitis may be apparent with peritonitis, especially tenderness, fever, and white blood cell counts. When assessing for peritonitis, the nurse should specifically look for abdominal rigidity/distention, rebound tenderness, increased/severe abdominal pain, ascites, increased temperature, increased leukocytosis, and paralytic ileus.

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. From the time of initial infection, symptoms might take from 1-6 months to appear. 

Hepatitis A is a generally benign, self-limiting disease that does not develop into a chronic hepatitis. It also cannot exist in a carrier state. Once the virus is cleared by the immune system, the individual will no longer carry the virus or be infectious to others.

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted via blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. While the virus is often present in saliva, it is not generally spread by sneezing, kissing, or sharing utensils (unless there are oral abrasions resulting in a mutual exchange of blood). The virus does not have fecal-oral transmission.

NPO means is a latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth. This order is used when a patient is not allowed to eat or drink any substances, usually due to a disturbance within the GI tract or if they are scheduled for a surgery. NPO orders are common in the ICU and surgical setting.