Chapter 17 Flashcards
Defecation
The act of passing feces from the large intestine out of the body through the anus
Peristalsis
Involuntary contractions that move food through the gastrointestinal system
Constipation
The inability to eliminate stool, or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful and elimination of a hard, dry stool
Enema
A specific amount of water, with or without an additive, that is introduced into the colon to eliminate stool
Suppository
A medication given rectally to cause a bowel movement
Fecal impaction
A hard stool that is stuck in the rectum and cannot be expelled
Hemorrhoids
Enlarged veins in the rectum that may also be visible outside the anus
 diarrhea
The frequent elimination of liquid or semi-liquid feces
Fecal incontinence
The inability to control the bowels, leading to involuntary passage of stool
Flatulence
Air in the intestine that has passed through the rectum, which can result in cramping or abdominal pain
Lactose intolerance
The inability to digest lactose
Colitis
Inflammation of the large intestine that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain; also called irritable bowel syndrome
 malabsorption
Inability to absorb or digest a particular nutrient properly
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A chronic condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach go back up into the esophagus
Heartburn
A condition that results from a weakening of the sphincter muscle which joins the esophagus and the stomach; causes a burning sensation in the esophagus
