Chapter 47 Bowel Elimination

Question 1

What factors influence bowel elimination?

Answer 1

age, diet, fluid intake, physical activity, psychological factors, personal habits, position during defecation, pain, and surgery and anesthesia

Question 2

Ileus

Answer 2

no peristalsis (24 to 48 hrs)

Question 3

Constipation

Answer 3

less than 3 bowel movements per week
feces is hard and difficult to pass

Question 4

Diarrhea

Answer 4

liquid feces and increased elimination frequency

Question 5

Flatulence

Answer 5

passing gas (belching/flatus)

Question 6

Hemorrhoids

Answer 6

dilated veins (external/internal)
caused by increased pressure

Question 7

Impaction

Answer 7

2nd level of constipation
unrelieved constipation (liquid stool oozes around it)

Question 8

Obstruction

Answer 8

3rd level of constipation
complete blockage, nothing can get through

Question 9

Ileoanal pouch anastomosis

Answer 9

removal of the large intestine completely (internal bag)

Question 10

What are the normal bowel sounds?

Answer 10

every 5 to 15 seconds in each quadrant
high pitched gargles

Question 11

What are the parts of the alimentary canal?

Answer 11

mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum

Question 12

What are the accessory organs?

Answer 12

teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

Question 13

What is produced and secreted in the stomach used for digestion?

Answer 13

Pepsin & HCl: helps digest proteins
Mucus: protects the mucosa
Intrinsic Factor: essential for the absorption of vitamin B12

Question 14

Duodenum

Answer 14

length: 20 to 28 cm (8 to 11 in)
continues to process fluid from the stomach

Question 15

Jejunum

Answer 15

length: 2.5 m (8 ft)
absorbs carbs and water

Question 16

Ileum

Answer 16

length: 3.7 m (12 ft)
absorbs water, fats, and bile salts

Question 17

How long is the large intestine?

Answer 17

1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft)

Question 18

What are the types of enemas?

Answer 18

cleansing, tap water, normal saline, hypertonic solution, soap suds, oil retention

Question 19

What is the use of cleansing enemas?

Answer 19

promote the complete evacuation of feces from the colon, stimulate peristalsis

Question 20

What is the use of tap water enemas?

Answer 20

exerts an osmotic pressure lower than fluid in interstitial spaces, infused volume stimulates defecation before large amounts of water leave the bowel

Question 21

What is the use of normal saline enemas?

Answer 21

safest, exerts the same osmotic pressure that pulls fluids out of interstitial spaces, stimulates peristalsis

Question 22

What is the use of hypertonic solutions enemas?

Answer 22

exert osmotic pressure that pulls fluid out of the interstitial space, colon fills with fluid and the resultant distention promotes defecation

Question 23

What is the use of soap suds enemas?

Answer 23

adding soap suds to tap water increases irritation of the intestine which in turn stimulates peristalsis

Question 24

What is the use of oil retention enemas?

Answer 24

lubricate feces in the rectum and colon