Chapter 47 Bowel Elimination Flashcards
What factors influence bowel elimination?
age, diet, fluid intake, physical activity, psychological factors, personal habits, position during defecation, pain, and surgery and anesthesia
Ileus
no peristalsis (24 to 48 hrs)
Constipation
less than 3 bowel movements per week
feces is hard and difficult to pass
Diarrhea
liquid feces and increased elimination frequency
Flatulence
passing gas (belching/flatus)
Hemorrhoids
dilated veins (external/internal)
caused by increased pressure
Impaction
2nd level of constipation
unrelieved constipation (liquid stool oozes around it)
Obstruction
3rd level of constipation
complete blockage, nothing can get through
Ileoanal pouch anastomosis
removal of the large intestine completely (internal bag)
What are the normal bowel sounds?
every 5 to 15 seconds in each quadrant
high pitched gargles
What are the parts of the alimentary canal?
mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum
What are the accessory organs?
teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
What is produced and secreted in the stomach used for digestion?
Pepsin & HCl: helps digest proteins
Mucus: protects the mucosa
Intrinsic Factor: essential for the absorption of vitamin B12
Duodenum
length: 20 to 28 cm (8 to 11 in)
continues to process fluid from the stomach
Jejunum
length: 2.5 m (8 ft)
absorbs carbs and water
Ileum
length: 3.7 m (12 ft)
absorbs water, fats, and bile salts
How long is the large intestine?
1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft)
What are the types of enemas?
cleansing, tap water, normal saline, hypertonic solution, soap suds, oil retention
What is the use of cleansing enemas?
promote the complete evacuation of feces from the colon, stimulate peristalsis
What is the use of tap water enemas?
exerts an osmotic pressure lower than fluid in interstitial spaces, infused volume stimulates defecation before large amounts of water leave the bowel
What is the use of normal saline enemas?
safest, exerts the same osmotic pressure that pulls fluids out of interstitial spaces, stimulates peristalsis
What is the use of hypertonic solutions enemas?
exert osmotic pressure that pulls fluid out of the interstitial space, colon fills with fluid and the resultant distention promotes defecation
What is the use of soap suds enemas?
adding soap suds to tap water increases irritation of the intestine which in turn stimulates peristalsis
What is the use of oil retention enemas?
lubricate feces in the rectum and colon
