Fecal Elimination Power Point Flashcards
True or False:
ostomy’s closer to the stomach fecal matter have less smell and less liquid
True
True or False:
Ostomy’s closer to the rectum fecal matter has greater smell and is more formed
True
The function of this organ absorbs water and nutrients
small intestine
The function of this organ excretes waste, reabsorbs water and electrolytes, and stores and mixes food with secreations
Large intestine (colon)
The function of this organ forms and secretes bile that is essential for breakdown of fats
Liver
Constipation is more common in this age group because of the use of OTC, decreased activity level/ fluid and fiber intake
Older adult
Define meconium
the first fecal material passed by the newborn up to 24 hours after birth
Dark
Green
Tarry
Odorless
Sticky
What affects peristalsis?
Activity
Medications
Anesthesia
Obstructions
Adhesions
Diet
Describe a normal finding of the GI after surgery
no bowel sounds after 24 hours
hypoactive bowel without n/v/d
What is the treatment for a pt who has had GI surgery?
ambulation
True or false: the intestine are highly vascular - bleeding more easily and absorbing things more easily
true
Iron supplements and Pepto-Bismol both turn poop which color
black
Which medications affect gastric motility
opioids
antihistamines
antidepressants
Describe what normal feces looks like for the adult
o brown
o firmed, soft, semi-solid, moist
o cylindrical (contour of the rectum) ~2.5 cm / 1 inch in diameter
o odor will vary with diet
o will also vary with food ingested and persons own bacterial flora
o Constituent [made up of]: small amounts of undigested roughage, sloughed dead bacterial and epithelial cells, fat, protein
o Dried constituent of digested juices like bile pigments and inorganic matter
The recommended daily fiber is what for people 50 years and younger
men: 38 grams
women: 28 grams
The recommended daily fiber is what for people 50 years and older
men: 30 grams
women: 21 grams
What are gas producing foods?
cabbage
onion
cauliflower
bananas
apples
What are laxative producing foods?
bran
prunes
figs
chocolate
alcohol
What are constipation producing foods?
cheese
pasta
eggs
lean meat
when is it best to listen to bowel sounds
between meals
peristalsis is more active
Describe abnormal feces
clay or white (lack of bile/ pancreatic or liver diseases)
black or tarry (from drugs like iron or bleeding from upper GI [small intestine or stomach]
red (bleeding from lower GI)
Pale (malabsorption of fats)
orange or green (intestinal infection)
hard / dry (dehydration decreased intestinal motility from lack of fiber, lack of activity, laxative abuse)
diarrhea (increased motility due to bacteria in the colon)
narrow pencil shaped or string like (obstruction of the rectum)
pungent odor (infection of blood)
pus/ parasites/ blood/ large quantities of fat
What is the therapeutic response for docusate sodium (colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak)
lowering the surface tension of fecal material
allowing water into the stool
resulting in soft fecal mass
What should the nurse teach families and the pt about docusate sodium (colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak)?
drink a glass of water (or fluid juice / milk) with the medication
effectiveness of the medication is 1-3 days
DO NOT take within 2 hours of other laxatives especially mineral oil (docusate sodium (colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak) may increase the absorption of mineral oil since it absorbs water)
Discuss other forms of bowel regulation like increasing fluid, fiber, and activity.
The longer the poop is in the GI the harder and __________ it is.
dryer
In older adults who have fecal impaction may show signs of delirium, which is a sudden change in
mental status
List factors that affect elimination
diet (fiber/ water)
positioning
privacy
medications
activity (stimulates peristalsis)
defecation habits (do NOT ignore urge)
What is the purpose of soluble fiber and where is it found?
Purpose - helps with diarrhea
Dissolves in water
What is the purpose of insoluble fiber and where is it found?
mixes with stool
apples have high fiber but also found in the skin of fruits and vegetables
Describe fecal impaction
mass or collection of hardened feces in the folds of the rectum
seeps fecal liquid
no normal stool
A method to help a pt with fecal impaction is digital desimpaction. What are the risks in doing this?
vagal nerve stimulation
bleeding
fissures
perforation [hole developed through the wall of a body organ]
A pt with hypothyroidism and an slowed down metabolism can have which sx that effects elimination?
constipation
A pt with hyperthyroidism can have with sx that effects elimination ?
diarrhea
Can fiber be digested
no
If the vagal nerve is stimulated during fecal desimpaction, what can happed to the pt?
They can pass out
Describe diarrhea
passage of liquid feces AND increased frequency of defecation
gets rid of bacteria that is NOT supposed to be there
pt will be dehydrated
increased bowel sounds
A healthy daily fluid intake is how many mL
2000 - 3000
Define gastrocolic reflex
defecating after breakfast
Define ileus
this is caused when a pt has surgery where handling the intestines is necessary.
There will be 24-48 hours of bowel stoppage of intestinal movement