Bowel Elimination Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Which stool test is used to detect hidden blood in the feces?

  • Stool culture
  • Clostridium difficile toxin test
  • Ova and parasite test
  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (correct)

A nurse is collecting a stool specimen for ova and parasite testing. What is the most important instruction to give the patient?

  • Avoid red meat before the test
  • Deliver the sample to the lab immediately (correct)
  • Refrigerate the sample overnight
  • Use a sterile container

What is the primary purpose of a cleansing enema?

  • Stimulate peristalsis and remove feces (correct)
  • Relieve abdominal pain
  • Treat dehydration
  • Reduce intestinal gas

When performing an abdominal assessment, which step should be conducted first?

<p>Inspection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which dietary recommendation is best for preventing constipation?

<p>High-fiber diet with adequate fluid intake (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient with diarrhea is at risk for which complication?

<p>Fluid and electrolyte imbalance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of enema is used to relieve gas?

<p>Carminative enema (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a normal finding in a patient with a sigmoid colostomy?

<p>Formed stool output (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing fecal impaction?

<p>Perform digital removal of stool if necessary (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient with an ileostomy should be taught to:

<p>Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient with chronic constipation asks about dietary changes. Which food should the nurse recommend?

<p>Whole wheat bread (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which therapeutic communication technique is best when discussing bowel elimination with a patient?

<p>Encouraging the patient to express concerns about bowel habits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient complains of constipation. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

<p>Assess the patient's usual bowel habits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient with diarrhea is advised to eat which type of diet?

<p>BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient is learning how to care for a new colostomy. Which statement indicates the need for further teaching?

<p>&quot;I should change the ostomy pouch every day.&quot; (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Detects microscopic blood in stool, indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.

Stool specimen for ova and parasite testing

Ova and parasites degrade quickly, so prompt delivery ensures accurate results.

Cleansing enema

Promotes bowel movements by stimulating intestinal muscle contractions.

Abdominal assessment: first step

Looking for abnormalities before other techniques that might alter findings.

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Preventing Constipation

Fiber and fluids promote bowel regularity by softening and moving stool.

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Risk with diarrhea

Diarrhea causes excessive fluid loss, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

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Enema for gas relief

Carminative enemas help to relieve gas by promoting gas expulsion.

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Normal finding in sigmoid colostomy

The sigmoid colon produces formed stools due to more water absorption.

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Fecal impaction - priority action

If other interventions fail, this is required to relieve the obstruction.

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Ileostomy patient teaching

Prevents dehydration, as ileostomy output is liquid, increasing dehydration risk.

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Study Notes

  • The following notes cover key concepts related to bowel elimination.

Diagnostic Tests

  • A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects microscopic blood in the stool, potentially indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • When collecting a stool specimen for ova and parasite testing, ensure prompt delivery to the lab to prevent degradation of the sample.

Enemas

  • Cleansing enemas primarily stimulate peristalsis to promote bowel movements and remove feces.
  • Carminative enemas relieve gas by promoting gas expulsion.

Abdominal Assessment

  • When performing an abdominal assessment, always begin with inspection to observe abnormalities before other steps alter findings.

Diet and Bowel Health

  • A high-fiber diet with adequate fluid intake is recommended for preventing constipation, as fiber and fluids soften stool and encourage peristalsis.
  • Patients with diarrhea are at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to excessive fluid loss.
  • For patients with diarrhea, the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) helps firm stool and reduce diarrhea due to low fiber content and easy digestibility.
  • When a patient reports chronic constipation, whole wheat bread is a recommended dietary change.

Colostomy and Ileostomy

  • A normal finding in a patient with a sigmoid colostomy is formed stool output.
  • Patients with an ileostomy should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration because the output is liquid.
  • When a patient is learning to care for a new colostomy, the statement "I should change the ostomy pouch every day" indicates a need for further teaching. Ostomy pouches typically last for several days.

Therapeutic Communication

  • When discussing bowel elimination with a patient, use open communication and encourage the patients to discuss their bowel habits.

Fecal Impaction

  • The priority nursing action for a patient experiencing fecal impaction is to perform digital removal of stool if necessary, especially if other interventions have failed.

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