Bowel Elimination

Question 1

Special consideration for post operative

Answer 1

• assess for the return of peristalsis by Muscatine bell sounds every four hours for the patient is awake
• Assess abdominal distention especially if the sounds are not audible or are highly pitched
• assess ability to pass flatus and stool
• assist with movement in bed ambulation to relieve gas pains, a common pet operative discomfort
• encourage food and fluid intake when ordered especially fruit juice in high fiber foods
• maintain privacy
• administer suppositories, enemas or medication such as two softeners as prescribed

Question 2

Enema temp

Answer 2

Slightly above body temp

Question 3

Flatulence

Answer 3

Intestinal gas that’s passed from the anu

Question 4

Flatus

Answer 4

gas in or from the stomach or intestines, produced by swallowing air or by bacterial fermentation

Question 5

Occult blood

Answer 5

blood in the feces that is not visibly apparent

Question 6

Factors affecting

Answer 6

Activity and muscle tone:
- regular exercise may improve gastrointestinal mobility and muscle tone as well as an active decreases both

Lifestyle:
- daily schedule, occupation, leisure activity may contribute to habits of defecting at regular or irregular patterns

Discuss psychological variables:

• stress
• anxiety
• chronic worry

Pathological variables:

• diverticulitis
• cystic fibrosis

Medications:

• medication‘s are available to promote peristalsis (laxative)
• inhibit peristalsis (Antidiarrheal)
• opioids cause constipation
• stool softeners

Question 7

Common bowel elimination problems

Answer 7

Constipation:
- decreased fiber in diet decreased fluid intake inactivity delaying defecation abuse of laxative change in routine side effects from medication

Question 8

Nursing care for common bowel elimination problems

Answer 8

Promote healthy behavior:

• increase fiber in diet
• increase fluids
• caution patient to avoid increasing fiber in diet without increasing fluids (could lead to bowel obstruction)
• schedule physical activity

Question 9

Delaying elimination

Answer 9

The longer you wait more water is absorbed making it harder to go

Question 10

Stool collection

Answer 10

• nurse Obtain specimen
  -transport to lab in timely manner
  • occult blood
  • clostridium difficile
  • other bacteria problems

Question 11

Endoscopy

Answer 11

Direct visualization examination of body organ or cavities

Question 12

EGD

Answer 12

Visual test of the Soffa guess, stomach and duodenum

Question 13

Colonoscopy

Answer 13

Visual task of the large intestine from the anus to the ileocecal valve

Question 14

Sigmoidoscopy

Answer 14

Visual exam of the sigmoid colon, the rectum and the anal canal

Question 15

Barium enema

Answer 15

Involve series of radiographs exam in the large intestine rectal instillation of barium sulfate

Question 16

MRI

Answer 16

Provides Physiologic information and detailed anatomic views of tissue using a superconducting magnet and radio frequency signals

Question 17

Abdominal CT scan

Answer 17

10 beams of x-rays are directed at a move around the abdomen to formulate computer manipulated pictures

Question 18

Fecal impaction

Answer 18

• prevent the passage of normal stools
• small amount of fluid may pass around impacted mass
• liquid Fecal seepage with no passage of normal feces is a sign of impaction

Question 19

Ostomy

Answer 19

Surgical procedure to create an opening into the abdominal wall for fecal elimination

Question 20

Characteristics of stool

Answer 20

Volume, color, odor, consistency, shape

Question 21

When assessing bowel elimination note..

Answer 21

Characteristics of stool
 external anal area 
chewing ability/oral cavity mobility 
bowel sounds 
abdominal muscle contractulity
ask the patient the time patient had bowel movement

Question 22

Nursing interventions

Answer 22

Monitor the amount and consistency 
expressed acceptance of ostomy
demonstrate skin care for ostomy or during episodes of diarrhea 
 Ingest adequate amount of fiber
Enemas
Laxatives
Fecal impaction removal
Promote ambulation 
Positioning 
Privacy 
Exercise 
Teach about nutrition