Bowel glossary terms

Question 1

Anorexia

Answer 1

A condition in which ill or debilitated pts have poor appetites

Question 2

Bolus

Answer 2

A large, round preparation of medicinal material for oral ingestion; a dose of medication or contrast material injected all at once intravenously.

Question 3

Borborygmi

Answer 3

The audible abdominal sounds produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis

Question 4

Cathartic

Answer 4

A drug that acts to promote bowel evacuation

Question 5

Colon

Answer 5

The portion of the large intestine from the cecum to the rectum

Question 6

Constipation

Answer 6

A condition characterized by difficulty in passing stool or an infrequent passage of hard stool

Question 7

Defecation

Answer 7

The passage of feces from the digestive tratc through the rectum

Question 8

Diarrhea

Answer 8

An increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, uniformed feces

Question 9

Distention

Answer 9

A swelling of a body cavity that may be caused by fluid, gas, or a mass

Question 10

Diverticula

Answer 10

The pouch-like herniation through the muscular wall of a tubular organ, which may be present in the stomach, small intestine, or the colon (most common)

Question 11

Endoscopy

Answer 11

A visualization of the interior of body organs and cavities with an endoscope

Question 12

Enema

Answer 12

A procedure involving introduction of a solution into the rectum for cleansing or therapeutic purposes

Question 13

Feces

Answer 13

The waste or excrement from the gastrointestinal tract

Question 14

Flatulence

Answer 14

A condition characterized by the accumulation of gas within the lumen of the intestines

Question 15

Flatus

Answer 15

Intestinal gas

Question 16

Guaiac test

Answer 16

A diagnostic test to detect blood in the stool

Question 17

Hemorrhoids

Answer 17

Dilated, enlarged veins in the lining of the rectum

Question 18

Incontinence

Answer 18

An ability to control urination or deification

Question 19

Impaction

Answer 19

The presence of large or hard fecal mass in the rectum or colon

Question 20

Laxative

Answer 20

A drug that acts to promote bowel evacuation

Question 21

Melena

Answer 21

An abnormal black, sticky stool containing digested blood, which is indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 22

Paralytic ileus

Answer 22

A usually temporary paralysis of the intestinal wall that may occur after abdominal surgery or peritoneal injury, and that causes cessation of peristalsis. This leads to abdominal distention and symptoms of obstruction.

Question 23

Suppository

Answer 23

A solid form of medication inserted into a body cavity (rectum or vagina) The drug is absorbed after it dissolves in the cavity

Question 24

Valsalva maneuver

Answer 24

A forced expiratory effort against a closed airway, as when an individual holds the breath and tightens the muscles in a concerted, strenuous effort to move a heavy object or to change positions in bed

Question 25

Carminative

Answer 25

A drug that relieves flatulence

Question 26

Contrast medium

Answer 26

A substance introduced into a part of the body in order to improve the visibility of internal structure during radiography

Question 27

Intussusception

Answer 27

The inversion of one portion of the intestines within another

Question 28

Purgative

Answer 28

A laxative

Question 29

Volvulus

Answer 29

An obstruction caused by twisting of the stomach or intestines

Question 30

Factors that influence Bowel elimination (11)

Answer 30

1) Diet
2) Fluid intake
3) Immobility
4) Ignoring urge to defecate
5) Fear of pain
6) Emotional stress
7) Lifestyle changes/changes in habits
8) Medications
9) Diagnostic procedures
10) Surgery
11) Age

Question 31

Hyperactive bowel sounds AKA–>

Answer 31

borborygmi

Question 32

Diagnostic testing

Answer 32

A) Stool specimens
B) Fecal characteristics
C) Direct visualization-esophagastroduodenoscopy
(EGD)
D) Indirect visualization- upper gastrointestinal
- barium enema