Exam 3: SCI Bowel and Bladder

Question 1

What does GCR stand for?

Answer 1

Gastrocolonic reflex

Question 2

What does PPT stand for?

Answer 2

Preferred pooping time (probably can’t document it like this)

Question 3

What kind of test can you do to see how long it takes a SCI to ingest and subsequently defecate a meal?

Answer 3

Corn test

Question 4

How long does a bowel program take from start to finish?

Answer 4

Up to 4 hours, 15-20 mins of actual stimulation

Question 5

What do you call the instrument used for stimulation during a bowel program?

Answer 5

Dil stick

Question 6

Why is doing a bowel program upright easier?

Answer 6

Gravity can assist

Question 7

What kind of chair should be used during a bowel program?

Answer 7

One with a cut out, particularly to one side so that the patient can reach underneath to stimulate themselves. Better if the seat is reversible.

Question 8

Once things get moving in the intestines, when does stimulation end?

Answer 8

5 minutes after the last stool is produced

Question 9

What is one concern of the use of a dil stick?

Answer 9

Correct placement- hopefully the patient hits the right area despite lack of feeling which then prevents them from rubbing the wrong area and causing skin breakdown

Question 10

Why is doing a bowel program in bed discouraged?

Answer 10

Dampens intimacy and a lack of gravity to assist if lying down

Question 11

What are 4 different types of catheterizations?

Answer 11

IC- intermittent catheterization
Indwelling catheter
Condom catheters
Suprapubic catheters

Question 12

How often is a patient supposed to cath themselves with an IC?

Answer 12

Every 4 hours

Question 13

What is the most common issue with IC’s?

Answer 13

Autonomic dysreflexia

Question 14

Why is fluid intake an issue with SCIs?

Answer 14

They don’t like to cath every 4 hours, so they reduce fluid intake, which leads to constipation

Question 15

If traditional bowel programs do not work, what are some other options?

Answer 15

Suppositories and colostomy

Question 16

What is the difference between a reflexic and an areflexic bladder?

Answer 16

The reflexic bladder empties with a stretch reflex, the areflexic bladder will not empty on its own, to the point of bursting if not taken care of.

Question 17

What do patients with an IC bladder program have to think about at night?

Answer 17

Cut off times for drinking or setting a timer to get up in the night to IC. If they are already wake for repositioning it may not be a bad thing to throw in an IC.