Bowel Elimination Flashcards
Bowel incontinence
The inability of the anal sphincter to control the discharge of fecal and gaseous material
Colostomy
An opening into the colon that permits feces to exit through the stoma
Fecal incontinence
Involuntary or inappropriate passing of stool or flatus
Ileostomy
Opening into the small intestine allows fecal content from the ileum to be eliminated through the stoma
Ostomy
General term referring to an artificial opening; usually used to refer to an opening created for the excretion of body wastes
Valsalva maneuver
Forcible exhalation against a close glottis, resulting in increased intrathoracic pressure
Parts of the large intestines
Cecum Ascending colon Transverse colon Descending colon Sigmoid colon
Function of large intestines
Absorption of water
Formation of feces
Expulsion of feces
Factors affecting bowel elimination
Developmental considerations Daily patterns Food and fluid Activity and muscle tone Lifestyle Psychological variables Pathologic conditions Medications Diagnostic studies Surgery and anesthesia
Normal characteristics & special considerations for observation of stool
Volume Color Odor Consistency Shape Constituents
Warning signs of colon cancer
Rectal bleeding
Change in bowel elimination pattern
Blood in stool
Cramping pain in lower abdomen
Common diagnostic studies for GI tract
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Colonoscopy Sigmoidoscopy Upper GI (UGI) and small-bowel series Barium enema Abdominal ultrasound Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Abdominal CT scan
