Week 11 - Interventions to Constipation Flashcards
What is an assessment of constipation used to find?
underlying problem
What should we consider when doing an assessment? (4)
- normal bowel function
- precipitating factors
- role of diet and activity
- discuss bowel patterns
What are the causes of constipation, in terms of the body and not disease? (6)
- Physiological
- Functional
- mechanical
- Psychological
- Systematic
- Pharmacological
What are other causes to constipation in terms of the body? (3)
- poor abdominal tone
- obesity
- poor dentition
What are the physical symptoms of constipation? (6)
- malaise
- urinary or fecal incontinence
- elevated temp
- Altered LOC
- Melena stool
- Straining
What are physical symptoms of fecal impaction? (2)
- reports of diarrhea and/or fecal incontinence
In a physical exam for constipation, what are we assessing for? (4)
- examine abdomen for masses
- distension
- tenderness
- high-pitched or absent bowel sounds
In a rectal exam for constipation, what are we looking for? (5)
- hemorrhoids
- Fissures
- Sphincter tone
- stool presence
- anal reflex
What can we ask the older adult about in terms of their stools? (4)
- frequency
- size
- consistency
- changes
Bristol Stool chart
How can we treat the underlying cause of constipation pharmacologically? (2)
- keeping accurate records
- Eliminate medications that can cause constipation (anticholinergics, pain opiates)
What are nonpharmacological interventions to treat constipation? (7)
- increase fluid intake
- exercise
- Change in environment to improve access to toilet
- Improve fiber intake
- assess oral hygiene and dentition
- Optimize position for defacation
- Establish a regular toileting routine
What does fiber do to stools?
increases the weight and decreases transit time
What do laxatives do? (3)
- Bulk are the safest as they increase the water absorbed in the large intestine
- Mixtures of natural fibre have been found to be effective
- Enemas as last resort
Prevention of Constipation flow map
