Bowel elmination Flashcards
Normal and abnormal
Color
Normal
Infant- yellow
Adult-brown
Abnormal
White or clay- the absence of bile
Black- Iron ingestion, GI bleeding
Red-GI bleeding
pale and oily-Malabsorption of fat
Normal and abnormal
Odor
Normal-may be affected by food
Abnormal-Noxious changes
foul-smelling
Normal and abnormal
Consistency
Normal-Soft, formed
Abnormal-Liquid(diarrhea)
Hard(constipation)
Normal and abnormal
Frequency
Normal-Infant 4-6/day
Adult-twice daily and 3 times a week
Abnormal-Infant more than 6 times or less than once every 1-2days
Adult more than 3 times a day or less than once a week
Normal and abnormal
Shape
Normal-resembles diameter of the rectum
似ている
Abnormal-Narrow, pencil-shaped
Obstruction, increase peristalsis
Normal and abnormal
Constituents/構成要素
Normal-Undigested food, dead bacteria, fat, bile, pigment
Abnormal-Blood, foreign bodies, oily stool
GI bleeding, infection
The nurse is about educating the client about age-related changes that affect bowel elimination.
These include?
A. Increased absorption of nutrients in the intestine
B. Increased peristalsis, resulting in softer stools.
C. Weaking of intestinal smooth muscle tone.
D. Increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
C
Which is most important when caring for a patient with a colostomy stoma?
1) Cleansing the stoma with cool water
2) Spraying an air freshener in the room
3) Selecting a bag with an appropriate sized stomal opening
4) Wearing sterile gloves when caring for the stoma
3
Which statement should the nurse use when teaching the patient to avoid foods that have a laxative effect? “You should avoid:
1) Applesauce
2) Chocolate
3) Coffee
4) Pasta
3
Which question would take priority when collecting a bowel elimination history for a newly admitted patient with a medical diagnosis of possible bowel obstruction?
1) “Do you use anything to help you move your bowels?”
2) “When was the last time you moved your bowels?”
3) “What color are your usual bowel movements?”
4) “How often do you have a bowel movement?”
2
Which independent nursing action facilitates defecation of a hard stool?
1) Applying a lubricant to the anus
2) Encouraging a sitz bath after defecation
3) Instilling warm mineral oil into the rectum
4) Placing a cold compress against the anus
1
Which adaptation is most significant in indicating the presence of a fecal impaction?
1) Odorous flatus
2) Marble-sized, hard, dry stools
3) Liquid, fecal seepage, with no passage of stool
4) Bright, red blood with the passage of stool
3
Which is the most appropriate outcome for a hospitalized patient with the nursing diagnosis Diarrhea? “The patient will:
1) have no more than two bowel movements a day.”
2) avoid foods that are high in water-soluble fiber.”
3) take Imodium after each bowel movement.”
4) drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.”
1
Which is detected in a guaiac test of stool?
1) Bile
2) Bacteria
3) Occult blood
4) Ova and parasites
3
The nurse discourages straining on defecation primarily because if performed by the patient it could precipitate:
1) Incontinence
2) Dysrhythmias
3) Fecal Impaction
4) Rectal hemorrhoids
2
Which food works best to increase the bulk in fecal material?
1) Whole wheat bread
2) White rice
3) Pasta
4) Kale
4
The excessive use of laxatives should be avoided primarily because it:
1) Weakens the natural response to defecation
2) Results in distention of the intestines
3) Causes abdominal discomfort
4) Causes incontinence
1
Which of the following is not a function of the large intestine?
a. Absorbing nutrients
b. Absorbing water
c. Secreting bicarbonate
d. Eliminating waste
ANS: A
Nutrient absorption is done in the small intestine. The other options are all functions of the large intestine.
A patient informs the nurse that she was using laxatives three times daily to lose weight. After
stopping use of the laxative, the patient had difficulty with constipation and wonders if she needs to take laxatives again. The nurse educates the patient that
a. Long-term laxative use causes the bowel to become less responsive to stimuli, and constipation may occur.
b. Laxatives can cause trauma to the intestinal lining and scarring may result, leading to decreased peristalsis.
c. Natural laxatives such as mineral oil are safer than chemical laxatives for relieving constipation.
d. Laxatives cause the body to become malnourished, so when the patient begins eating again, the body absorbs all of the food, and no waste products are produced
ANS: A
Long-term laxative use can lead to constipation. Increasing fluid and fiber intake can help with this problem
A patient with a hip fracture is having difficulty defecating into a bed pan while lying in bed. Which action by the nurse would assist the patient in having a successful bowel movement?
a. Administering laxatives to the patient
b. Raising the head of the bed
c. Preparing to administer a barium enema
d. Withholding narcotic pain medication
ANS: B
Lying in bed is an unnatural position; raising the head of the bed assists the patient into a more normal position that allows proper contraction of muscles for elimination.