Fecal Elimination Flashcards
Absorption of water and nutrients, mucoid protection of intestinal walls, fecal elimination
LARGE INTESTINE (Colon)
Length of large intestine
125-150 cm
increases downward pressure on the rectum
SITTING POSITION
increases pressure within abdomen
THIGH FLEXION
Parts of large intestine
CECUM
ASCENDING
TRANSVERSE
DESCENDING
SIGMOID
RECTUM
ANUS
It is bounded by internal and external
sphincter muscle
ANAL CANAL
pouches in large intestine due to
longitudinal muscles shorter than colon.
HAUSTRA
wavelike movement w/c propels
intestinal contents forward
PERISTALSIS
Normal defecation is facilitated by
THIGH FLEXION
SITTING POSITION
Expulsion of feces from anus and rectum
‘Bowel movement’
DEFECATION
largely air and the by-products of the
digestion of CHO
FLATUS
3 Types of Movement in colon
- HAUSTRAL CHURNING
- PERISTALSIS
- MASS PERISTALSIS
– wave of powerful muscular
contraction that moves over large areas of colon
MASS PERISTALSIS
movement of chyme back & forth within haustra
HAUSTRAL CHURNING
Distended veins in rectum due to
pressure
HEMORRHOIDS
Gas-producing foods
cabbage, onions, cauliflower, bananas, and apples
Feces is normally made of ____ water, ___ solid materials
75% water, 25% solid materials
FACTORS THAT AFFECT COLOR OF FECES
Stercobilin & Urobilin
The first fecal matter of newborns
MECONIUM
When the baby has ingested poop, it is called
MECONIUM STAINING
Poop that follow for about a
week. Greenish-yellow, loose and
contain mucus
TRANSITIONAL STOOLS
increased peristalsis of the colon after food has entered the stomach
GASTROCOLIC REFLEX
2 Classifications of Fiber
SOLUBLE
INSOLUBLE
slows down normal colonic movements by blocking parasympathetic stimulation to colon muscles
GENERAL ANESTHESIA
promotes movement of material through digestive system and
adds stool bulk
INSOLUBLE FIBER
FECAL ELIMINATION PROBLEMS
DIARRHEA
CONSTIPATION
FECAL IMPACTION
BOWEL INCTINENCE
FLATULENCE
Recommended fluid intake
2,000-3,000 mL (6-8 glasses)
Poorly functioning anal sphincter can lead to
FECAL INCONTINENCE
Collection of hardened feces in the folds of rectum
FECAL IMPACTION
- Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week
- Passage of dry, hard stool or the passage of no
stool
CONSTIPATION
Passage of liquid feces and an increased frequency of defecation.
DIARRHEA
Loss of voluntary ability to control fecal and gaseous discharges thru anal sphincter
BOWEL INCONTINENCE
- Presence of excessive flatus in the intestines
FLATULENCE
opening for the gastrointestinal, urinary, or respiratory tract onto the skin
OSTOMY
opening through the abdominal
wall into the stomach
GASTROSTOMY
opens through the abdominal wall
into the jejunum
JEJUNOSTOMY
opens into the colon
COLOSTOMY
to divert and drain fecal material
BOWEL OSTOMIES
provides means of elimination when rectum/anus is nonfunctional
PERMANENT COLOSTOMY
opening created in the abdominal wall by the ostomy
STOMA
performed for traumatic injuries or inflammation of bowel
TEMPORARY COLOSTOMY
Introduction of solution to rectum and large intestine
ENEMA
portable chair w/ a toilet seat and a
receptacle that can be emptied
COMMODE
receptacle for urine and feces
BEDPAN
Drugs that INDUCE defecation. They can have a strong, purgative effect
CATHARTICS
Example of Cathartics
CASTOR OIL
CASCARA
Mild in comparison to a cathartic, and
it produces soft or liquid stools that are sometimes accompanied by
abdominal cramps
LAXATIVES
Type of laxative inserted directly to the anus
SUPPOSITORIES
Types of enemas
- CLEANSING
- CARMINATIVE
- RETENTION
- RETURN-FLOW
Are herbal oils known to act as
agents that help expel gas from the stomach and intestines
CARMINATIVES
Enema to remove feces
CLEANSING ENEMA
introduces oil or medication
to rectum and sigmoid colon
RETENTION ENEMA
to expel flatus
CARMINATIVE ENEMA
Also called Harris flush. Occasionally used to expel flatus
RETURN-FLOW ENEMA
physiological (normal) saline, are
considered the safest enema solutions to use. They exert the same osmotic pressure as the interstitial fluid surrounding the colon. Therefore, there is no fluid movement into or out of the colon.
ISOTONIC SOL’N
given to cleanse as much of the colon as possible
HIGH ENEMA
exert osmotic pressure, which draws
fluid from the interstitial space into the colon
HYPERTONIC SOLUTIONS
stimulate peristalsis by increasing the volume in the colon and irritating the mucosa
SOAPSUDS ENEMA
- A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse will provide
information to the client about which type of enema? - Oil retention
- Return flow
- High, large volume
- Low, small volume
4
- Which goal is the most appropriate for clients with diarrhea
related to ingestion of an antibiotic for an upper respiratory
infection? - The client will wear a medical alert bracelet for antibiotic
allergy. - The client will return to his or her previous fecal elimination
pattern. - The client will verbalize the need to take an antidiarrheal
medication prn. - The client will increase intake of insoluble fiber such as
grains, rice, and cereals.
2
used to clean the rectum and sigmoid colon only
LOW ENEMA
- Clients should be taught that repeatedly ignoring the sensation
of needing to defecate could result in which of the following? - Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Incontinence
- Hemorrhoids
1
- Which statement provides evidence that an older adult who is
prone to constipation is in need of further teaching? - “I need to drink one and a half to two quarts of liquid
each day.” - “I need to take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia if I don’t
have a BM every day.” - “If my bowel pattern changes on its own, I should call you.”
- “Eating my meals at regular times is likely to result in regular
bowel movements.”
2
- The nurse is most likely to report which finding to the primary
care provider for a client who has an established colostomy? - The stoma extends 1/2 in. above the abdomen.
- The skin under the appliance looks red briefly after removing
the appliance. - The stoma color is a deep red-purple.
- The ascending colostomy delivers liquid feces.
3
- A client with a new stoma who has not had a bowel movement
since surgery last week reports feeling nauseous. What is the
appropriate nursing action? - Prepare to irrigate the colostomy.
- After assessing the stoma and surrounding skin, notify the
surgeon. - Assess bowel sounds and administer antiemetic.
- Administer a bulk-forming laxative, and encourage increased
fluids and exercise
2
- The nurse assesses a client’s abdomen several days after abdominal surgery. It is firm, distended, and painful to palpate. The
client reports feeling “bloated.” The nurse consults with the surgeon, who orders an enema. The nurse prepares to give what
kind of enema? - Soapsuds
- Retention
- Return flow
- Oil retention
3
- Which of the following is most likely to validate that a client is
experiencing intestinal bleeding? - Large quantities of fat mixed with pale yellow liquid stool
- Brown, formed stools
- Semisoft black-colored stools
- Narrow, pencil-shaped stool
3
- Which nursing diagnoses is/are most applicable to a client with
fecal incontinence? Select all that apply. - Bowel Incontinence
- Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
- Disturbed Body Image
- Social Isolation
- Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
1,3,4,5
