Chapter 35: Bowel Elimination; Key Terms

Question 1

Cathartics

Answer 1

Drugs that act to promote bowel evacuation

Question 2

Colon

Answer 2

Portion of the large intestine from the cecum to the rectum

Question 3

Colonoscopy

Answer 3

Requires bowel preparation for the test completed successfully
A camera is used to view inside the colon

Question 4

Constipation

Answer 4

Hard dry feces

Can be caused by medications, or immobility

Question 5

Defecation

Answer 5

Passage of feces from the digestive tract through the rectum

Question 6

Diarrhea

Answer 6

Increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces

Question 7

Enema

Answer 7

Procedure involving introduction of a solution into the rectum for cleansing or therapeutic purposes

Question 8

Fecal Impaction

Answer 8

Accumulation of hardened fecal material in the rectum or sigmoid colon

Question 9

Fecal Incontinence

Answer 9

Inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus

Question 10

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

Answer 10

Measures microscopic amounts of blood in the feces

Question 11

Feces

Answer 11

Waste or excrement from the gastrointestinal tract

Question 12

Flatus

Answer 12

Intestinal gas

Question 13

Hemorrhoids

Answer 13

Permanent dilation and engorgement of veins within the lining of the rectum

Question 14

Ileus

Answer 14

Temporary cessation of peristalsis

Question 15

Laxatives

Answer 15

Drugs that act to promote bowel evacuation

Question 16

Melena

Answer 16

Abnormal black, sticky stool containing digested blood, indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 17

Ostomy

Answer 17

Surgical procedure in which an opening is made into the abdominal wall to allow the passage of intestinal contents from the bowel (colostomy) or urine from the bladder (urostomy)

Question 18

Peristalsis

Answer 18

Rhythmical contractions of the intestine that propel gastric contents through the length of the gastrointestinal tract

Question 19

Stoma

Answer 19

Artificially created opening between a body cavity and the body’s surface