Bowel Elimination

Question 1

medication that has short term action of emptying the bowel

Answer 1

Cathartics or Laxatives

Question 2

contraction that propels food through the length of the GI tract

Answer 2

Peristalsis

Question 3

surgical procedure in which an opening is made into the abdominal wall to allow the passage of intestinal contents from the bowel (colostomy)

Answer 3

Ostomy

Question 4

artificially created opening between a body cavity & the body’s surface

Answer 4

Stoma

Question 5

passage of feces from the digestive tract through the rectum

Answer 5

Defecation

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Diarrhea

Question 7

inability to control the passage of feces & gas from the anus

Answer 7

Fecal Incontinence

Question 8

situation in which the patient is unable to expel the hardened feces retained in the rectum resulting from unrelieved constipation

Answer 8

Fecal Impaction

Question 9

gas expelled from the digestive system

Answer 9

Flatulence

Question 10

blood in the stool

Answer 10

Melena

Question 11

temporary cessation of peristalsis

Answer 11

Ileus

Question 12

having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, greater than 25% of which are hard & require straining to evacuate the fecal matter

Answer 12

Constipation

Question 13

instillation of a solution into the rectum & sigmoid colon given primarily to promote defecation by stimulating perstalsis

Answer 13

Enema

Question 14

gas

Answer 14

Flatus

Question 15

dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum

Answer 15

Hemorrhoids

Question 16

microscopic amounts of blood in the feces

Answer 16

Occult Blood

Question 17

temporary or permanent opening in the abdomen created for waste excretion from the colon

Answer 17

Colostomy

Question 18

in infants, the first product of a bowel movement usually 24 hours after birth

Answer 18

Meconium

Question 19

medication that is inserted into the rectum that the patient holds

Answer 19

Suppository

Question 20

inflation, stretching out (of the abdomen)

Answer 20

Distention

Question 21

paralysis of the intestinal smooth muscles with distention of the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain & inability to pass or stool or gas…may occur after abdominal surgery or administration of narcotics

Answer 21

Paralytic Ileus

Question 22

use of sigmoidoscope to inspect the sigmoid colon

Answer 22

Sigmoidoscopy

Question 23

evacuation of the bowels

Answer 23

Stool

Question 24

behavior modification program to help people with dysfunctional bowels regain the ability to have normal bowel movements

Answer 24

Bowel Training Program

Question 25

Factors Affecting Bowel Elimination

Answer 25

diet, activity, psychological factors, defecation habits, medications, pregnancy, surgery

Question 26

Nursing Diagnoses Associated with Bowel Elimination

Answer 26

Constipation, Risk for Constipation, Perceived Constipation, Diarrhea, Bowel Incontinence, Impaired Comfort, Risk for Injury, Risk for Fluid Imbalance, Anxiety

Question 27

Nursing Interventions to Promote Normal Bowel Function

Answer 27

ensure privacy, time after meals, increase fiber & water, promote exercise, position patient

Question 28

enema that draws water into the colon usually containing 90-120 mL of fluid & works in 5-10 min

Answer 28

Hypertonic Enema

Question 29

enema that distends colon, stimulates perstalsis, & softens feces usually containing 500-1000 mL of tap water & works in 15-20 min

Answer 29

Hypotonic Enema

Question 30

enema that distends colon, stimulates perstalsis, & softens feces usually containing 500-1000 mL of saline & works in 15-20 min

Answer 30

Isotonic Enema

Question 31

enema that irritates mucosa & distends colon usually containing 500-1000 mL of soapy water & works in 15-20 min

Answer 31

Soapsud Enema

Question 32

enema that lubricates the feces & colonic mucosa usually containing 90-120 mL of oil & works in 1.5-2 hrs

Answer 32

Oil Enema