Bowel Elimination Flashcards
medication that has short term action of emptying the bowel
Cathartics or Laxatives
contraction that propels food through the length of the GI tract
Peristalsis
surgical procedure in which an opening is made into the abdominal wall to allow the passage of intestinal contents from the bowel (colostomy)
Ostomy
artificially created opening between a body cavity & the body’s surface
Stoma
passage of feces from the digestive tract through the rectum
Defecation
increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces
Diarrhea
inability to control the passage of feces & gas from the anus
Fecal Incontinence
situation in which the patient is unable to expel the hardened feces retained in the rectum resulting from unrelieved constipation
Fecal Impaction
gas expelled from the digestive system
Flatulence
blood in the stool
Melena
temporary cessation of peristalsis
Ileus
having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, greater than 25% of which are hard & require straining to evacuate the fecal matter
Constipation
instillation of a solution into the rectum & sigmoid colon given primarily to promote defecation by stimulating perstalsis
Enema
gas
Flatus
dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum
Hemorrhoids
microscopic amounts of blood in the feces
Occult Blood
temporary or permanent opening in the abdomen created for waste excretion from the colon
Colostomy
in infants, the first product of a bowel movement usually 24 hours after birth
Meconium
medication that is inserted into the rectum that the patient holds
Suppository
inflation, stretching out (of the abdomen)
Distention
paralysis of the intestinal smooth muscles with distention of the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain & inability to pass or stool or gas…may occur after abdominal surgery or administration of narcotics
Paralytic Ileus
use of sigmoidoscope to inspect the sigmoid colon
Sigmoidoscopy
evacuation of the bowels
Stool
behavior modification program to help people with dysfunctional bowels regain the ability to have normal bowel movements
Bowel Training Program
Factors Affecting Bowel Elimination
diet, activity, psychological factors, defecation habits, medications, pregnancy, surgery
Nursing Diagnoses Associated with Bowel Elimination
Constipation, Risk for Constipation, Perceived Constipation, Diarrhea, Bowel Incontinence, Impaired Comfort, Risk for Injury, Risk for Fluid Imbalance, Anxiety
Nursing Interventions to Promote Normal Bowel Function
ensure privacy, time after meals, increase fiber & water, promote exercise, position patient
enema that draws water into the colon usually containing 90-120 mL of fluid & works in 5-10 min
Hypertonic Enema
enema that distends colon, stimulates perstalsis, & softens feces usually containing 500-1000 mL of tap water & works in 15-20 min
Hypotonic Enema
enema that distends colon, stimulates perstalsis, & softens feces usually containing 500-1000 mL of saline & works in 15-20 min
Isotonic Enema
enema that irritates mucosa & distends colon usually containing 500-1000 mL of soapy water & works in 15-20 min
Soapsud Enema
enema that lubricates the feces & colonic mucosa usually containing 90-120 mL of oil & works in 1.5-2 hrs
Oil Enema
