Chap 35- Bowel Fx & Elimination Flashcards
How does nurse assess bowel function?
Ask pt when their last BM was
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion
Nursing responsibilities for bowel fx
Assess
Promote bowel health (via diet,
Teaching and Prevention
Digestion begins in ____
The mouth
Small intestine comprised of
duodenum
jejunum
ileum
junction between small intestine & L.I that helps to slow feces moving through and prevent backflow of feces
ileocecal valve
Absorption takes place in
Small intestine (begins in duodenum)
Large intestine comprosied of
cecum. colon, rectum and anus
Motility of bowels is fast af in older adults. T or F
False- it is slow
2 sphincters of anus
Internal sphincter –> Involuntary control
External sphincter –> voluntary control
Functions of Intestine
Motility
Absorption
Defecation (Valsalva’s Maneuver)
Two types of motility that assist w/ absorption & transportation through the full lengths of intestine
Segmentation
Peristalsis
alternation of contraction & relaxation of the smooth muscle that helps the slowing of passage of intestinal contents to allow digestion & absorption of contents
Segmentation
The speed of passage of intestinal contents effects
absorption
movement that propels contents across the intestines
peristalsis
What regulates the motility of bowels, where contents are constantly slowed down, but always in motion?
Autonomic Nervous system
Sympathetic- Slows down (Segmentation)
Parasympathetic- Speeds up
partially digested food + digestive juices
chyme
Stool is soft here _______
Stool becomes formed here___
Small Intestine
Large Intestine (particularly transverse and descending colon)
last function of intestiine when peristalsis propels feces into rectum causing rectal distention
Defecation
a breathing technique that involves forcefully exhaling against a closed airway; “Deep breath, bare down”
Valsalva maneuver
Normal Characteristics of Feces
Feces 75 % water, 25 % solid
Dark/Light Brown (color comes from breakdown of bilirubin)
Soft, Formed
Cylindrical
Pungent- due to bacterial breakdown
Major undigested fiber left in the feces after digestion and absorption have occurred.
Cellulose
High fiber + fluid rich diet results in this consistency of stool
Loose
Normal Frequency of BM
1-2/daily or
1every 2-3 days
@ about 100-300 g/daily
Bright red blood indicates injury in the _______
Lower GI
Dark red blood indicates injury in the _______
Upper GI
Abnormal Feces Characterisitcs
Clay Colored, Yellow/ Green
Black, Tarry Blood
Pencil Shape
Older adults Considerations w/ Bowel Fx
Weakened Pelvic Muscles
Constipation/ Harder/Dryer Stools
Mobility Issues
Prolonged/ Slower Gut Transit
Decreased Sphincter Control
Factors effecting Elimination
Nutrition
Lactose/Glucose Intolerance
Fluid Intake
Activity/Exercise (promotes peristalsis)
Body Position (Sitting/squatting ideal)
Ignoring urge to sh*t leads to constipation
Lifetsyle
Pregnancy
Medications
Fiber gives feces ______, which helps push intestinal contents through resulting in large formed bowel movement.
BULK
What happens when an anal sphincter will relax?
Continuos ignoring urge to sh*t will result in sphincter relaxation, leading to incontinence/ lack of control
Point of an enema is to ?
Clean out intestine, resulting in clear liquid
When should bowel sounds return post op?
Up tp 48 hrs post op, or pt may have paralytic ileus
Paralytic ileus syx
N&V
Abdominal Distention
*Treated w/ decompression by NG tube *
WHy are stomas surgically created?
to provide an alternative route for waste or urine to leave the body when the normal path is obstructed; due to disease of bowel as well
