Bowel Elimination Flashcards
What are the two main problems of bowel eliminatrion?
Diarrhea or constipation
What can promote defacation?
fiber
squat on toilet
laxatives
increased fluid intake
finding privacy
True or false: hot liquid stimulates peristalsis activity
True
What common factors affect a persons normal bowel movement?
Age (older adults have decreased peristalsis)
Diet
Fluid intake
physical activity
psychological (stress)
personal habits (timing and privacy)
Medications
Pain
How many bowel movements is considered “constipated”
3 bowel movements or less per week
What is fecal impaction?
Large mass of hardened feces in folds of rectum blocking bowels from prolonged constipation
What is Bowel/Fecal Incontinence?
Loss of voluntary control of fecal movement
What are Hemorrhoids?
dilated enlarged veins in the lining of the rectum
How much fiber should you eat in 1 day?
25-30 grams per day
What is Valsalva Manoeuvre?
When you hold your breath and bear down to poop
True or false: Physical Activity promotes peristalsis and lack of physical activity slows peristalsis
True
True or false: cheese, milk, eggs, and red meat make you constipated
True
What is dierrhea?
Liquid and frequent feces
In thinking about a patients nutritional needs during her first hospitalization for a bowel obstruction, the nurse needs to
understand that most nutrients and electrolytes are absorbed in which of the following areas:
a. Stomach
b. Duodenum
c. Ileum
d. Cecum
B
What is one of the greatest concerns in caring for Olivia related to the nasogastric tube?
a. Dehydration
b. Maintaining comfort
c. Constipation
d. Nutritional therapy
B
During inspection of Olivia’s abdomen, the nurse notes that it is visibly distended. The nurse should proceed with the client’s
abdominal assessment by next performing:
a. Palpation
b. Percussion
c. A rectal check
d. Auscultation (listening to body sounds on a stethescope)
D
During the enema, a patient complains of pain. The nurse notes rectal bleeding and blood in the return fluid. What action should the nurse take?
a. Stop the instillation.
b. Slow the rate of instillation.
c. Stop the instillation, notify the prescriber, and obtain vital signs.
d. Tell the patient to breathe slowly and relax.
C
In considering a patients risk factors for constipation, the nurse would identify which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Restriction of fluid intake that includes both caffeine and
artificial sweetener
b. Restriction of dietary fibre intake
c. Regular exercise
d. Toileting for a bowel movement at inconsistent times
e. Managing stress
A B D
In considering the factors related to Olivia’s bowel incontinence, which of the following situations results in diarrhea that occurs with a fecal impaction (blocked bowels)?
a. A clear liquid diet
b. Irritation of the intestinal mucosa
c. Seepage of stool around the impaction
d. Inability of the patient to form a stool
C
Identify and prioritize the interventions the nurse should include for a older patient who is frail from NG tube and surgery. (Select all that apply.)
a. Toileting for a bowel movement at a consistent time each day
following a triggering meal
b. Increase fluid intake to at least four to five 237-mL (8-ounce)glasses of water over the course of the day, replacing cola with water
c. Increase physical activity
d. Gradually increase dietary fibre with the goal over time to
achieve about 25 mg of fibre per day
e. Incorporate additional stress-management strategies.
A B D
(the others are good but they are not priority and direct interventions to help her)
What is the greatest danger of dierrhea?
dehydration
True or false:Skin breakdown can occur after repeated exposure to liquid stool
true
True or false: hard pellet like stools are the hardest to pass
true
