Bowel Elimination

Question 1

What is the normal amount of stool excreted?

Answer 1

it varies based on diet but range is usually between 100-400g/day

Question 2

What is the Valsalva maneuver?

Answer 2

when you contract the abdominal muscles and diaphragm while maintaining forced expiration against a closed airway is not recommended as it increases intrathoracic pressure– causes tachycardia followed by reflex bradycardia and lead to cardiac arrest

Question 3

Define constipation

Answer 3

-passage of small, dry, hard stool or passage of no stool for a period of time
-signs include infrequent bowel movement, difficult defecation, inability to defecate at will, hard feces, abdominal pain, distention, sensation of fullness and pressure in rectum, and straining during defecation

Question 4

Define impaction

Answer 4

-a mass or collection of hardened feces in the rectum that cannot be expelled and if severe the mass can extend into sigmoid colon
-can result from prolonged retention and accumulation of feces
-liquid stool may pass

Question 5

Define intestinal obstruction

Answer 5

a partial or complete obstruction of the intestine which does not allow passage of GI contents– requires prompt treatment as it can be life threatening

Question 6

What are the types of laxative medications?

Answer 6

-bulk forming
-stool softener
-stimulants

Question 7

What are the types of rectal suppositories?

Answer 7

-glycerin
-stimulant

Question 8

What are the 4 types of enemas?

Answer 8

-cleansing
-retention
-carminative
-return-flow

Question 9

What are the contraindications of enemas?

Answer 9

-rectal prolapse or injury
-recent rectal, prostate or colon surgery
-rectal bleeding
-increased ICP
-appendicitis or bowel obstruction
-recent vasovagal episode
-Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
-renal disease
-glaucoma

Question 10

What is the difference between a colostomy and an ileostomy?

Answer 10

colostomy is an opening in the large intestine and an ileostomy is an opening in the small intestine