Foundations Bowel Elimination EXAM 2

What is the GI tract composed of?

mouth

esophagus

stomach

small intestine

large intestine

anus

The Digestive System is composed of the:

liver

pancreas

gallbladder

and a series of hollow organs that originate at the mouth and terminate at the anus

In coordination, the GI tract works with the organs of the _____________________ to digest food and drinks.

digestive system

What role does the epiglottis play in digestion?

prevents food and liquids from entering the lungs, so it can continue to the esophagus

What is peristalsis?

the contraction that moves food through the digestive system, aiding in digestion and transport.

What occurs in the stomach during digestion?

Food and liquid mix with digestive secretions before being slowly emptied into the small intestine.

What happens in the small intestine during bowel elimination?

food and liquid continue to

mix with digestive secretions from the pancreas,

liver, and the small intestine as peristalsis continues to

aid in the transport of food through the GI tract

What happens in the large intestine during bowel elimination?

liquid is absorbed from the waste byproduct, and stool begins to form.

Define defecation.

Defecation is the process of eliminating stool from the body.

Feces/Stool

waste product from the bowel

Hemorrhoids

varicose veins in rectum

Fecal impaction

collection in the rectum of hardened feces that cannot be passed

Fecal incontinence

the inability to control the bowels, leading to involuntary passage of stool.

Cathartics

drugs that induce defecation

Laxatives

medications or foods given to stimulate bowel movements

Paralytic Ileus

paralysis of intestinal peristalsis

Occult Blood

blood that cannot be seen in the stool but is positive on a fecal occult blood test

Flatulence

the passage of gas out of the body through the rectum

Flatus

gas expelled through the anus

Constipation

difficulty in passing stools

Diarrhea

frequent discharge of liquid stool

Gastrocolic Reflex

mass movement of feces in the colon and the desire to defecate caused by taking food into the stomach

What is the Valsalva maneuver and when is it performed?

Done during defecation

• Bearing down

• Can lower heart rate

• Can lower BP

• Vagal Response

• Vasovagal Syncope

Problems with bowel elimination may lead to issues via:

psychosocial and physiologic

What factors influence bowel elimination?

• Fluid intake

• Dietary intake

• Exercise and physical activity

• Personal elimination habits

• Emotional stress

• Position

• Age and developmental stage

• Pain

• Constipation and hemorrhoids

• Pregnancy

• General anesthetics and surgery

• Medications

• Diagnostic tests

Assessment Bowel Elimination:

1. History

2. Physical Assessment

• Mouth, Abdomen, Rectum

3. Fecal Characteristics

• Color

• Odor

• Amount

• Shape

• Consistency

• Constituents

Bowel Laboratory Tests

Guaiac Test

Stool Culture

What is a guaiac test used for?

test feces for occult blood

Stool Culture

• Parasites/Ova

• Clostridium difficile

Nutrition for normal BM

20-35 Fiber, 2-3L fluid

Promoting Normal Elimination

• Know how to properly position a person on a bedpan

• Think about timing

• Positioning

• Privacy

• Nutrition

• Exercise

Fracture Pan

Flatter than the regular bedpan

• Designed specifically for

clients with hip fracture or

post-op hip replacement

Decreasing Flatulence

• Limit gas-forming foods

• Ambulate

• Avoid drinking through a straw

What should be done if resistance is met during enema insertion?

Slowly administer the solution and if there is fullness or pain, close the clamp and remove the enema tube.