Bowel Elimination Flashcards
Bowel Elimination
- Normal GI tract function
- Sensory awareness
- Sphincter control
Normal bowel elimination
a patient is able to have a bowel elimination without a rush to toilet, no excessive straining, no blood loss, no laxative use
Normal frequency
daily, 2-3 times a week
Normal color and consistency
brown and soft
What to ask patient?
whats their normal bowel movement and when was their last bowel movement
Factor affecting elimination
Personal habits, not comfortable using public restrooms so hold it for hours.
Fiber
absorbs fluid, promotes elimination of softer stool, peristalsis is stimulated.
Fiber intake
25g per day for females
38g for males.
About 5 servings a day
Less fluid intake develops?
hard stools, constipation
Activity level
exercise stimulates peristalsis.
Meds
antacids = slows peristalsis resulting in constipation
Antibiotics= loose stool, diarrhea
Iron supplements = causes discoloration of stool (Black stool) can cause constipation
Health history
any recent surgeries with general anesthesia = slows bowel motility.
Emotional distress
depression = peristalsis decreases, leading to constipation
Continence
asking if patient can make it to the bathroom before bowel movement
Pain
problem relating to bowel elimination. Pooping should be painless. if pain is present investigate for hemorrhoids.
Always ask patient…
if they have changes in bowel movement.
Physical Assessment
-Abdomen
look at contour of abdomen, asculatate bowel sounds, assess any tenderness with palpation
Physical Assessment
-Stool
always assessing patients stool. look at color, (gray or clay colored= liver problems)
(black or starry= melnia, blood) (streaky blood = infection) consistency : hard, soft, liquid
Stool labs:
Occult blood
Guiac or FOBT test : get specimen to get tested to see if blood in stool that you cant see with naked eye
Stool labs:
FIT test
another stool lab testing
0&P
ova and parasites testing : stool must be fresh and warm, can not be mixed with urine or water.
Sigmoidoscopy
direct visualization; every 5 years, start screenings at 50 yo. Visualing anus canal, rectum, and sigmoid canal
Colonoscopy
direct visualization; every 10 years; moves up farther in rectum than sigmoidoscopy.
EGD
direct visualization; upper GI. looks at esophagus and stomach. Scope is inserted through mouth. Purpose to do tissue biospys
