VOCAB: Bowel Elimination

Question 1

opening at the end of anal canal

Answer 1

anus

Question 2

the inability of the anal sphincter to control the discharge of fecal and gaseous material

Answer 2

bowel incontinence

Question 3

bowel-training program

Answer 3

program that manipulates factors within a person’s control (timing of defecation, exercise, diet) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation without medication or enemas

Question 4

an opening into the colon that permits feces to exit through the stoma

Answer 4

colostomy

Question 5

passage of dry, hard fecal material; slower-than-normal evacuation of the large intestine, which can result in increased water absorption from the feces and can lead to impaction

Answer 5

constipation

Question 6

emptying of the intestinal tract; synonym for bowel movement

Answer 6

defecation

Question 7

passage of liquid and unformed stools; more-frequent-than-normal bowel movements, often characterized as fluid-like and watery because not enough time for absorption is allowed during the passage of food through the intestines

Answer 7

diarrhea

Question 8

direct visualization of hollow organs of the body using an endoscope (a flexible, lighted tube)

Answer 8

endoscopy

Question 9

introduction of solution into the lower bowel

Answer 9

enema

Question 10

collection in the rectum of hardened feces that cannot be passed

Answer 10

fecal impaction

Question 11

involuntary or inappropriate passing of stool or flatus

Answer 11

fecal incontinence

Question 12

intestinal waste products

Answer 12

feces

Question 13

a linear break on the margin of the anus

Answer 13

fissure

Question 14

excessive formation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract

Answer 14

flatulence

Question 15

intestinal gas

Answer 15

flatus

Question 16

abnormally distended rectal veins

Answer 16

hemorrhoids

Question 17

opening into the small intestine allows fecal content from the ileum to be eliminated through the stoma

Answer 17

ileostomy

Question 18

moisture-associated skin breakdown caused by prolonged contact of the skin with urine or feces

Answer 18

incontinence-associated dermatitis

Question 19

drug used to induce emptying of the intestinal tract

Answer 19

laxative:

Question 20

occult blood

Answer 20

blood present in such minute quantities that it cannot be detected with the unassisted eye

Question 21

general term referring to an artificial opening; usually used to refer to an opening created for the excretion of body wastes

Answer 21

ostomy

Question 22

paralysis of intestinal peristalsis

Answer 22

paralytic ileus

Question 23

involuntary, progressive, wave-like movement of the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract

Answer 23

peristalsis

Question 24

artificial opening for waste excretion located on the body surface

Answer 24

stoma

Question 25

excreted feces

Answer 25

stool

Question 26

oval- or cone-shaped substance that is inserted into a body cavity and that melts at body temperature

Answer 26

suppository

Question 27

Valsalva maneuver

Answer 27

forcible exhalation against a closed glottis, resulting in increased intrathoracic pressure

Question 28

agent that increases in bulk, frequently by osmotic pull of fluid into the feces; the increased bulk stretches the GI wall, causing stimulation and increased GI movement

Answer 28

bulk stimulant

Question 29

overuse of laxatives that can lead to the need for strong stimuli to initiate movement in the intestines; local reflexes become resistant to normal stimuli after prolonged use of harsher stimulants, leading to further laxative use

Answer 29

cathartic dependence

Question 30

agent that stimulates the normal GI reflexes by chemically irritating the lining of the GI wall, leading to increased activity in the GI tract

Answer 30

chemical stimulant

Question 31

agent that increases the viscosity of the feces, making it difficult to absorb water from the bolus and easing movement of the bolus through the intestines

Answer 31

lubricant