Bowel Elimination: Normal Stool & Constipation

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Questions and Answers

What characteristics are typically associated with normal stool?

Black, tarry, and watery
Brown, soft, formed, and moist (correct)
Yellow, liquid, and containing mucus
Green, hard, and irregularly shaped

Which of the following observations about bowel movements is least important to report to the nurse?

The color and consistency of the stool
The frequency of defecation
Any pain or discomfort experienced during defecation
Whether or not the client used the call bell (correct)

According to the Bristol Stool Chart, which type of stool indicates constipation?

Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (correct)
Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces.
Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft

What factors influence bowel elimination?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

When assisting a client with bowel elimination, what measure ensures both comfort and safety?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of constipation?

Passage of hard, dry stool less frequently than normal (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential cause of constipation?

Inactivity and ignoring the urge to defecate (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best approach to manage constipation?

Focusing on prevention (B) Signup and view all the answers

What condition results from unrelieved constipation?

Fecal impaction (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible sign of fecal impaction?

Severe abdominal discomfort and liquid feces seeping from the anus (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of diarrhea?

Frequent passage of liquid stools (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is prompt assistance with elimination needs crucial for a client experiencing diarrhea?

To prevent falls and skin breakdown (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of fecal incontinence?

Inability to control the passage of feces and gas (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common problem support workers may encounter when assisting a client with fecal incontinence?

Resistance to care, making washing and changing the client difficult (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for gas or air passed through the anus?

Flatus (C) Signup and view all the answers

What helps to expel flatus from the intestines?

Exercise and walking (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the goals of bowel training?

To gain control of bowel movements and develop a regular pattern of elimination (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an enema?

The introduction of fluid into the rectum and lower colon (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a doctor order an enema?

To remove feces or relieve constipation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What action is characteristic of commercial enemas?

They stimulate and distend the rectum (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a rectal tube?

To relieve flatulence and intestinal distension (A) Signup and view all the answers

How often can a rectal tube typically be re-inserted?

Every 2 to 3 hours (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the opening of an ostomy called?

Stoma (B) Signup and view all the answers

A client with an ileostomy will have what stool characteristic?

Liquid stools (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pouch worn over a stoma?

To collect stools and flatus (C) Signup and view all the answers

How often should ostomy pouches be changed?

Every 3 to 7 days, or when it leaks (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should you NOT do with a used ostomy pouch?

Flush the pouch down the toilet (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are stool specimens collected?

To check for blood, fat, microbes, worms, and other abnormal contents (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when collecting a stool specimen?

The specimen must not be contaminated with urine (C) Signup and view all the answers

Bleeding in the lower bowels would result in stools of what nature?

Red bloody (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term `melena` refer to when testing stools for blood?

Black tarry stools that indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper gastro-intestinal tract (A) Signup and view all the answers

The doctor has asked you to test a client's stool for `occult` blood. What does this mean?

A special piece of equipment needs to be used to test for very small quantities of blood present in the stool (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Normal Stool Characteristics

Normal stools are typically brown, soft, formed, and moist, shaped like the rectum.

Bristol Stool Chart

The Bristol Stool Chart is a way of describing the types of stools in a consistent way.