Lab 5

What are the outcomes of studying bowel elimination for nursing students?

Students will be able to administer various types of enemas, manage fecal incontinence, empty and change an ostomy appliance, and perform nasogastric tube procedures.

What is the role of nurses in bowel elimination?

Nurses play an integral role in preventing and managing bowel elimination problems.

What are the key components of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?

The GI tract includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and ends at the anus.

What are the three main parts of the small intestine?

The small intestine consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

What factors affect bowel elimination?

Mobility, food and fluids, medications, and intestinal diversions.

How does mobility affect bowel elimination?

Regular exercise improves GI motility and muscle tone, while inactivity decreases both.

What role does fiber play in bowel elimination?

Foods high in fiber help keep stool moving through the intestines and prevent constipation.

How can medications affect bowel elimination?

Some medications can cause loose stools or constipation; for example, opioids decrease GI motility, leading to constipation.

What type of stool does an ileostomy typically produce?

Ileostomies normally produce liquid, foul-smelling stool.

What type of stool is typically produced by a sigmoid colostomy?

Sigmoid colostomies normally have pasty, formed stool.