Unit 12 – Bowel Elimination (Fundamentals of Nursing Care)

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, assessments, influencing factors, disorders, and nursing interventions related to bowel elimination.

Defecation

The elimination of feces from the rectum through the anus.

Feces

Semisolid waste composed of fiber, food residue, bacteria, and water expelled from the bowel.

Flatus

Intestinal gas produced by swallowed air, blood diffusion, or bacterial fermentation.

Valsalva Maneuver

Forceful exhalation against a closed airway during defecation that raises intrathoracic and abdominal pressure, increasing BP and lowering heart rate.

Bristol Stool Scale

Seven-type chart that classifies stool form from hard lumps (Type 1) to watery liquid (Type 7).

Bristol Type 1 Stool

Separate hard lumps like nuts; difficult to pass.

Bristol Type 4 Stool

Smooth, soft, sausage- or snake-shaped stool; considered ideal.

Meconium

Newborn’s first bowel movement; thick, tar-like, dark green-black.

Peristalsis

Rhythmic muscular contractions that propel intestinal contents forward.

Constipation

Infrequent or difficult evacuation of hard, dry stool.

Fecal Impaction

Hardened fecal mass lodged in the rectum that blocks normal stool passage.

Bowel Obstruction

Physical blockage within the intestine preventing movement of contents.

Ileus

Temporary absence of peristalsis without mechanical obstruction, often post-op.

Paralytic Ileus

Functional bowel paralysis after surgery; bowel sounds absent, patient kept NPO.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of intestinal diverticula causing pain and altered bowel habits.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Functional GI disorder triggered by stress, causing altered motility and discomfort.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

Lab test that detects hidden blood in stool.

Digital Removal

Manual extraction of stool from the rectum, ordered for impaction.

Enema

Instillation of fluid into the rectum to promote stool evacuation.

Cleansing Enema

Large-volume enema (tap water, soap suds) given high or low to flush the colon.

Retention Enema

Solution (oil, medication, nutritive) held in the rectum for prolonged action.

Oil Retention Enema

Mineral or vegetable oil enema that softens hard stool for easier passage.

Hypertonic Enema

Small-volume saline laxative that draws water into colon to stimulate peristalsis.

Hypotonic Enema

Tap-water enema that distends bowel; risk of fluid overload if repeated.

Return-Flow (Harris Flush) Enema

Alternating instillation and withdrawal of fluid to relieve gas and distention.

Laxative

Medication that loosens stool or stimulates bowel activity.

Bulk-Forming Laxative

Fiber supplement (e.g., psyllium) that absorbs water and adds mass to stool; safest long-term option.

Osmotic Laxative

Agent that draws water into the intestine to soften stool (e.g., polyethylene glycol).

Stimulant Laxative

Drug that irritates intestinal mucosa, promoting rapid peristalsis (e.g., bisacodyl).

Lubricant Laxative

Coats stool and intestinal lining to ease passage (e.g., mineral oil).

Stool Softener

Surfactant that lowers stool surface tension, allowing water penetration (e.g., docusate).

Bowel Diversion

Surgically created opening that reroutes fecal flow outside the body.

Colostomy

Stoma formed from large intestine; stool consistency depends on section involved.

Ileostomy

Stoma created from ileum, bypassing colon; output is liquid and continuous.

Stoma

Protruding bowel mucosa on abdomen through which effluent exits.

Effluent

Drainage (stool) that comes out of a stoma.

Fecal Incontinence

Inability to control passage of stool and gas through the anus.

Bowel Training

Planned program using diet, schedule, and stimulation to achieve regular defecation.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)

Infusion of healthy donor stool to restore gut flora, mainly for C. diff infections.

High-Fiber Diet

Diet containing ≥5 servings/day of fiber-rich foods to enhance peristalsis.

Fluid Intake Recommendation

Consume 1,500–2,000 mL of fluid daily to maintain soft stool consistency.

Abdominal Assessment

Sequence of inspection, auscultation, palpation used to evaluate GI status.

Hyperactive Bowel Sounds

15 high-pitched gurgles per minute, suggesting increased motility.

Hypoactive Bowel Sounds

Absent Bowel Sounds

No sounds after 3–5 minutes per quadrant; may indicate ileus or obstruction.

Pinworms

Intestinal parasites detected by perianal tape test or stool sample.

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

Spore-forming bacterium causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis.

Aluminum/Calcium Antacids

Medications that can cause constipation by slowing GI motility.

Magnesium Antacids

Antacid type known to cause diarrhea.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may lead to constipation or GI bleeding.

Antibiotics Effect on Bowel

Reduce normal flora, often leading to diarrhea.

Probiotics

Live microorganisms that promote bowel regularity and restore flora.

Iron Supplement Effect

Causes dark, tarry stool and decreased motility leading to constipation.

Antimotility Drugs

Medications (e.g., loperamide) that slow intestinal transit to treat diarrhea.

Diarrhea

Passage of three or more loose stools per day.

Acute Diarrhea

Sudden onset diarrhea lasting <2 weeks; managed with rehydration and hygiene.

Chronic Diarrhea

Diarrhea persisting >3 weeks; requires fluid-electrolyte management and investigation.

Left Lateral Sims Position

Side-lying posture used for enemas and rectal suppository insertion.

Rectal Suppository

Solid medication inserted into rectum where it melts and absorbs or stimulates stool.

Bristol Type 7 Stool

Watery, no solid pieces; entirely liquid.

Sensory Urge to Defecate

CNS awareness generated when rectum distends with fecal mass.

Hemorrhoids

Dilated rectal veins that can result from straining or increased abdominal pressure.

Perineal Muscle Tone

Strength of muscles supporting rectum and anus; decreases with aging.

High-Sugar Diet Effect

May cause diarrhea or irregular bowel patterns.

Dairy-Induced Constipation

Excessive dairy slows digestion and hardens stool.

NG Tube Decompression

Nasogastric tube used to relieve pressure in bowel obstruction or ileus.

Abdominal Distention

Swelling or bloating of the abdomen, often from gas or obstruction.

Digital Rectal Examination

Gloved finger assessment of rectum to detect impaction or abnormalities.

High vs. Low Enema

Refers to height of bag: high cleans entire colon; low targets sigmoid/rectum.

Valsalva Risk Factors

HTN, arrhythmias, glaucoma, new abdominal wound, ↑ intracranial pressure.

Five Servings of Fiber

Recommended daily amount to promote normal bowel function.

Sedentary Lifestyle Effect

Reduced physical activity slows GI motility and promotes constipation.

Stress Effect on Motility

Stress and anxiety can either accelerate or slow intestinal movement.

Normal Bowel Sounds Frequency

5–15 high-pitched gurgles per minute heard during auscultation.

Bristol Type 3 Stool

Sausage-shaped stool with cracks on surface; normal.

Breastfed Infant Stool

Golden-yellow, seedy feces after meconium phase.

Bristol Type 5 Stool

Soft blobs with clear-cut edges; easy to pass; borderline normal.