Elimination; Urinary & Gastrointestinal Systems

Anus

The opening at the end of the rectum to the outside of the body through which stool is excreted.

Bladder

A muscular sac in the lower part of the abdomen in which urine is collected for elimination.

Elimination

The process of expelling wastes (made up of the waste products of food and fluids) that are not absorbed into the cells.

Emesis

The act of vomiting, or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose.

Fecal Incontinence

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

Feces/Stool

Semisolid material from the bowel made up of water, solid waste material, bacteria and mucous; also called bowel movement (BM).

Flatus

Air (gas) in the intestine that is passed through the rectum and anus.

Kidneys

2 bean-shaped urinary system organs that filter blood of waste products and excess water. Necessary water and substances are reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Waste and the remaining fluid form urine.

Rectum

The final section of the large intestine, lower end of the colon.

Urethra

The tube leading from the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus and the outside of the body.

Urinary Incontinence

The inability to control the bladder, leading to involuntary passage of urine.

Urinary Meatus

The external opening at the end of the urethra through which urine passes to the outside of the body.

24 hr. Urine Collection

Urine specimen consisting of all urine voided by a person in a 24-hour period. The person must void and discard the first urine so that the collection begins with an empty bladder.

Bed Pan

A device used for elimination of urine and feces when a person is unable to get out of bed to use the toilet.

Bedside Commode

A portable chair with a toilet seat and removable container underneath. Used for people who are able to get out of bed for elimination of urine and feces but who cannot walk to the bathroom.

Bladder Retraining

A program to help people reestablish a regular urinary routine and normal bladder function.

Brief

Disposable legless underpants used by people who are incontinent that keep body wastes away from the skin.

Circumcised

Operation to remove the foreskin covering the glans of the penis.

Clean Catch/Midstream

A urine specimen that is collected in the middle of the urinary stream in a sterile container after perineal cleaning; does not include the first and last urine voided in the sample, reducing contamination of the specimen.

Collection Device (Hat)

A plastic container sometimes put into a toilet or commode to collect and measure urine or stool.

Condom Catheter

An external urinary catheter that has an attachment on the end that fits over the penis and fastened with special tape; connected to a drainage bag to collect urine.

Dialysis

An artificial means of removing the body's waste products when the kidneys are no longer able to function properly.

Dignity

Ensuring that others feel worthy, honored or respected as individuals. Treating your resident/patient/client ethically, respectfully, and honoring their preferences.

Down Drain Bag

A device that attaches to the end of the urinary catheter tubing to collect urine.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

Female External Catheter

An external urine collection device that attaches to the perineum and drains urine by a tube attached to a bag or suction container.

Foreskin

A covering of skin over the penile glans.

Fracture Pan

A type of bedpan that is flatter than a regular bedpan; used for people who cannot assist with raising their hips on a regular bedpan.

Graduate

Container for measuring fluid volume in milliliters (mL) and possibly ounces (oz).

Incontinence

The inability to control the bladder or bowels, which leads to an involuntary loss of urine or feces.

Incontinent Pad

An item of removable bedding that may or may not be disposable; it is used to protect the bedding and mattress from soiling of urine or feces.

Indwelling Catheter (Foley)

A type of urinary catheter designed to remain inside the bladder for a period of time; connected to a drainage bag to collect urine.

Kidney Stone

Renal calculi; formed when urine crystallizes in the kidneys which can block the kidneys and ureters, causing severe pain. May also cause frequent painful urination, blood in the urine, fever, and nausea or vomiting.

Leg Bag

A small device that attaches to the end of the urinary catheter tubing to collect urine. It is strapped to the leg and can be hidden under clothing.

Nocturia

Frequent or excessive urination at night.

Output

The fluid that is eliminated from the body through urine, feces, vomitus, perspiration, moisture that is exhaled in the air, and wound drainage.

Penis

Male reproductive organ that contains the urethra for urination and ducts for the secretion of seminal fluid (semen).

Polyuria

Frequent or excessive urination.

Pressure Injury/Ulcer/Sore

Injury or wound resulting from pressure, poor blood flow, moisture, and/or shearing. Also called decubitus ulcers or bed sores.

Renal Failure

Loss of kidney function resulting in its inability to remove waste products from the body. It can cause hypertension, little to no urine output, dark urine, anemia, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, weight changes, edema, etc.

Sample/Specimen

Collected material of a person's tissue, body fluid, etc. used for laboratory analysis to make a diagnosis.

Straight Catheter

A type of urinary catheter that does not remain inside the person's bladder; it is removed immediately after urine is drained or collected.

Stress Incontinence

The loss of urine due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, for example, when sneezing or coughing.

Suprapubic Catheter

A type of indwelling urinary catheter inserted directly into the bladder through a small abdominal incision above the pubic area; connected to a drainage bag to collect urine.

Urinal

A device used for elimination of urine when a male is unable to get out of bed to use the toilet.

Urinalysis

The examination of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements.

Urinary Retention

Abnormal accumulation of urine in the bladder because of an inability to urinate.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

An infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys, usually caused by bacteria (often E. coli). Causes pain/burning with urination, urinary frequency, fever, confusion, foul smelling urine, etc.

Urination

Also called voiding; the act of passing urine from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body.

Voiding

Also called urination; the act of passing urine from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body.

Bowel Movement (BM)

Semisolid material from the bowel made up of water, solid waste material, bacteria and mucous; also called feces or stool.

Bowel Obstruction

Obstruction (blockage) of the small or large intestine which prevents food and stool from passing through. Causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, etc.

Bowel Retraining

A program to help people reestablish a regular bowel routine and normal bowel function.

Colostomy

A surgically created opening into the large intestine to allow usually semisolid stool to be expelled.

Constipation

The inability to eliminate stool or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful elimination of hard, dry stool.

Defecation

Bowel elimination; the act of passing feces from the large intestine out of the body through the anus.

Diarrhea

The frequent elimination of liquid or semiliquid feces.

Enema

Specific amount of water, with or without an additive, that is introduced into the rectum in order to eliminate stool or feces.

Fecal Impaction

Hard stool that is stuck in the rectum that cannot be expelled. Causing no stool for several days, oozing of liquid stool, cramping, abdominal swelling, and rectal pain.

Fiber

A form of complex carbohydrates that the body cannot digest; necessary for bowel elimination.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

A chronic condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. Causes heartburn. Can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus leading to ulcers and bleeding.

Hemorrhoid

Enlarged veins inside the rectum or outside the anus that can cause rectal itching, pain, and bleeding.

Ileostomy

A surgically created opening into the end of the small intestine to allow liquid stool to be expelled.

Occult Blood

Hidden or difficult to observe blood.

Ostomy

A surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside of the body.

Ostomy Bag

An external pouch that collects fecal matter diverted from the colon or ileum through a surgical opening (colostomy or ileostomy) in the abdominal wall.

Peptic Ulcer

Raw sores in the stomach; causing dull or burning pain after eating, belching, vomiting, bleeding, etc.

Reflux

Abnormal backward flow. In esophageal reflux, stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

Stoma

An artificial surgically created opening in the body.

Ulcer

An open sore or lesion in the skin or mucous membrane.

Ureterostomy

A surgically created opening from a ureter to the abdomen that allows urine to be eliminated.

Enhanced Barrer Precautions

A CDC-required infection control intervention to be used in long-term care facilities. The purpose is to reduce the risk of transmitting infection, especially multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). It involves wearing a gown and gloves during high-contact activities for residents at increased risk of acquiring MDROs (such as residents with catheters, IVs, tracheostomies, wounds, etc.). (CDC, 2024)