A patient is scheduled for a fiberoptic colonoscopy. What should the nurse understand that a fiberoptic colonoscopy is most frequently used to diagnose? a. It is commonly performed for cancer screening b. assessment of inflammatory bowel disease c. evaluation of bowel diseases of unknown origin d. investigation of occult bleeding.

A fiberoptic colonoscopy is most frequently used for all the options mentioned: cancer screening (especially colorectal cancer), assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), evaluation of bowel diseases of unknown origin, and investigation of occult bleeding. However, if one must choose the most frequent use, it is commonly performed for:

a. Cancer screening - specifically for colorectal cancer. This is because colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting colorectal cancer and polyps which may turn into cancer. It's a critical tool in cancer prevention as it can detect precursor lesions and early cancers when they are most treatable.

• A colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a charge-coupled device camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It can provide a visual diagnosis (e.g., ulceration, polyps) and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected colorectal cancer lesions.
• Colonoscopy can remove polyps as small as one millimeter or less. Once polyps are removed, they can be studied with the aid of a microscope to determine if they are precancerous or not. By removing precancerous polyps, colonoscopies can prevent colorectal cancer.
• Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting from age 50 or earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps. People with a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin screening at a younger age, and may need to be tested more frequently.
• For inflammatory bowel disease, a colonoscopy can reveal inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. For the evaluation of bowel diseases of unknown origin, it can provide vital visual information and tissue samples to aid in diagnosis. In the investigation of occult bleeding — which is bleeding that isn't visible to the naked eye — a colonoscopy might identify the source of bleeding or rule out colon cancer or polyps as the cause.
• Before a colonoscopy, patients typically undergo a preparation process, which involves dietary restrictions and bowel prep to ensure that the colon is clear of stool. This preparation helps the doctor have a clear view of the colon, which is crucial for a thorough examination.