Bowel/Intestinal Elimination - Unit 6 Flashcards
Digestion begins in the ___.
Mouth.
Bowel movements can be excreted as soon as ___ hours after, or as long as __ days after.
48hrs/4 days.
What is ocopuerisis? (Or something like that)
Where little kids don’t want to go to the bathroom, so they effectively shut down their brain’s ability to tell them when to go to the bathroom.
What are the primary functions of the colon?
Removal of solid waste form the body, reabsorption of water and lytes from the chyme, storage and elimination of feces, secretion of mucus to protect intestinal wall.
What is peristalsis?
Wavelike movements produced by circular and longitudinal muscle fibers - propels contents through GI tract.
What is defecation facilitated by?
Contract of abdominal muscles and diaphragm, flexion of thighs, sitting position, etc.
What are some factors that promote elimination?
Environment/lifestyle, high fiber diet, routine, exercise, etc.
What are some changes in the elderly that effect defecation?
Decreased esophageal and GI peristalsis, poor dentention, decreased abd tone/muscle tone, decreased anal sphincter tone.
What are some factors impairing defecation?
Stress, failure to feel the need, high CHO, immobility, inability to assume proper defecation position.
Laxatives - can cause _____.
Lack of muscle tone, so you won’t be able to poop easily if you use these too often.
Narcotics - ___ peristalsis.
Slow.
What are some foods affecting defecation?
Cabbage, onions, broccoli - gas.
Diarrhea - bran, prunes, fresh fruit, etc.
Constipation - cheese, pasta, rice, etc.
What are some high fiber foods?
Raw fruits, cooked fruits, greens, raw veggies and whole grains.
Acholia - def
clay-gray almost white stool - caused by a bile obstruction or barium.
Melena - def
black stool - higher up in the bowel (bleed.)
Red - a __ GI bleed.
Lower.
Green/Orange stool - def
chlorophyl - beats?
Steatorrhea - cystic fibrosis - it is a really __ stool.
Fatty - will float on water.
Feces is mostly ___ % water.
75%
Blood in stool - bright red =
blood later in GI process.
Blood in stool - Black, tarry =
Blood entered chyme in stomach or small intestine (digested blood.)
Occult (__) blood =
hidden blood. Guaiac Test will find this!
Constipation - passage of…
small, dry hard stool or passage of no stool for period of time.
Consistency, rather than frequency, that determines constipation. T/F?
True!
What are some causes of constipation?
Faulty personal habits, diet, medications, lack of exercise/inactivity, age, disease processes
Constipation - nursing interventions - what is best?
Prevention is best. Adequate fluids, activity, fiber in diet, etc.
Fecal Impaction - what is it?
Accumulation of hardened feces in rectum and may be in sigmoid. Could have constipation, distention, etc.
What is digital removal of impaction?
Well, you used a lubed up glove (on your hands) and…well…
What is diarrhea?
Passage of liquid feces and increased frequency of defecation.
What can happen with prolonged diarrhea?
Fatigue, weakness, malaise, emaciation, etc.
What causes diarrhea?
Stress, anxiety, antibiotics, iron, allergy/food intolerance, diseases of colon, etc.
Nursing Interventions for diarrhea?
Assess, keep bedpan nearby, keep skin/anus clean and dry.
What is distention/flatulence?
Presence of excessive flatus in GI tract. Will present with distended abdomen/cramp like pain.
With distention, you can have dyspnea. T/F?
True! You can have it if it is great enough to cause pressure on diaphragm.
Flatulence/Distention - nursing interventions?
Get patients up and moving, remove cause, etc.
Causes of distention?
Failure of intestines to absorb gas or unable to propel along tract, foods such as cabbage/beans, etc, decreased peristalsis, constipation, swallowing large amounts of air, surgery, etc.
