Elimination Flashcards
A patient who was diagnosed with senile dementia has become incontinent of urine. The patient’s daughter asks the nurse why this is happening. What is the nurse’s best response?
“The patient is losing sphincter control due to the dementia.”
Anger, wanting to leave the hospital, and forgetting where the bathroom is really have no bearing on the urinary incontinence. The patient is incontinent due to the mental ability to voluntarily control the sphincter. This is happening because of the dementia.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has suffered a spinal cord injury and is concerned about the patient’s elimination status. What is the nurse’s best action?
Establish a bowel and bladder program for the patient
Establishing a bowel and bladder program for the patient is a priority to be sure that adequate
elimination is happening for the patient with a spinal cord injury. Speaking with the family to
determine food choices is not the primary concern
The process of digestion is important for every living organism for the purpose of nourishment. Where does most digestion take place in the body?
Small intestine
Most digestion takes place in the small intestine
The nurse is listening for bowel sounds in a postoperative patient. The bowel sounds are slow,
as they are heard only every 3 to 4 minutes. The patient asks the nurse why this is happening. What is the nurse’s best response?
“Anesthesia during surgery and pain medication after surgery may slow peristalsis in the bowel.”
Anesthesia and pain medication used in conjunction with the surgery are affecting the peristalsis of the bowel. Having a slower bowel, eating certain food, or lack of exercise will not have a direct effect on the bowel.
What is a primary prevention tool used for colon cancer screening?
Occult blood testing
Occult blood testing will reveal unseen blood in the stool, and this may signal a potentially serious bowel problem like colon cancer.
During an assessment, the patient states that his bowel movements cause discomfort because the stool is hard and difficult to pass. As the nurse, you make which of the following suggestions to assist the patient with improving the quality of his bowel movement? (Multiple Response.)
Increase fiber intake.
Increase water consumption
Increasing fiber assists in adding bulk to the stool. Increasing water assists in softening the stool and moving it through the large intes
When conducting a health history assessment, the nurse would want to know what most important information about the patient’s elimination status? (Multiple Response)
CDL-RC
Recent changes in elimination patterns
Changes in color, consistency, or odor of stool or urine
Discomfort or pain with elimination
List of medications taken by patient
Recent changes in elimination patterns, color, consistency, or odor are important for the nurse to know concerning elimination. Discomfort or pain during elimination is important for the nurse to know. A nurse should also know which medications the patient is on as this may affect elimination.
