Bowel Elimination

what is elimination?

removal of waste products from the body

where in the GI tract does the most absorption occur?

small intestine

what does peristalsis do?

moves contents along the GI tract

True or False: Peristalsis is an action that the body voluntarily does.

False

what is it called when a person increases the pressure to expel waste by contracting ab muscles (straining) while holding their breath?

valsalva maneuver

what is syncope?

passing out

what is a newborn’s first, tar-like stool called?

meconium

how many liters of fluid intake promotes bowel function?

2-3L

what are frozen bowels caused by an obstruction of intestines called?

paralytic ileus

what kind of medications can cause constipation?

opioids

an indirect visualization of a person’s bowels with a non-invasive diagnostic test would be:

an abdominal x-ray

a direct visualization of a person’s bowels with an invasive diagnostic test would be (2):

colonoscopy & sigmoidoscopy

what is blood in the stool called?

occult blood or melena

True or False: The darker the melena, the higher up in the GI tract the bleed is located, and the longer it has been in the GI tract.

True

After placing two drops of developer solution on both samples of stool on the occult blood test card, if the test is positive and there is blood in the stool, what color should it change to?

Blue

If a patient has had a high intake of Vitamin C in the days prior to testing stool for occult blood, a blue color change on the testing card indicates what?

a false positive

how long must constipation last for it to be considered chronic?

at least 3 months

what is it called when a patient believes they are not having enough bowel movements?

perceived constipation

if someone is having diarrhea, what are they at risk for?

dehydration

what do antimotility meds do?

taken short-term to slow peristalsis & help treat diarrhea

what is considered the safest laxative?

bulking agents

True or False: Reliance on bulking agents for bowel elimination does not cause reliance on them.

True

what is fecal impaction?

hard, dry stool cannot be passed; liquid stool may ooze

a surgically created opening for digestive waste is called what?

bowel diversion

what two kinds of diets can be used to manage diarrhea?

clear liquid & BRAT diets

what is a BRAT diet?

bananas, rice, applesauce, toast

what are antimotility or antidiarrheal medication not recommended for?

acute diarrhea

what are the three types of enemas?

cleansing, retention, & return flow

which enema is used to remove stool, treat constipation, & prep for surgery?

cleansing enema

which enema is used for antibiotics to be kept in for an amount of time?

retention enema

which enema is released almost immediately and used to relieve abdominal distention (flatulence, bloating)?

return flow enema

which position should the patient be in when receiving an enema?

left lateral w/ right knee flexed or left sims

if the patient reports pain during enema administration, what should you do?

stop

True or False: If a patient cannot tolerate the full dose during enema administration, they can momentarily take a break, but you must keep going to administer the entire ordered dose.

False

where does an enema enter in the body?

enters in the descending colon through the anal canal

what internal drainage device do you use for bowel incontinence for diarrhea?

rectal tube

how many glasses of water per day should be consumed for increasing fluid intake?

eight

is ileostomy or colostomy drainage liquid & continuous?

ileostomy

is ileostomy or colostomy drainage more formed & less continuous?

colostomy

True or False: Ileostomy bags are worn at all times.

True

where is the stoma created in an ileostomy?

in the small intestine

when should you empty an ostomy pouch?

when it’s 1/3 to ½ full

how often should you replace ostomy pouches?

every 3-7 dayswha

what color should an ostomy be?

deep pink to brick red

when in the day should you replace an ostomy bag?

when the stoma is less active/before meals