Chapter 26: Bowel Elimination Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physiological processes, bowel alterations, diagnostic tests, and nursing procedures for bowel elimination.

Mastication

The initial digestive process where food is chewed, formed into boluses, and mixed with saliva to assist with breakdown.

Peristalsis

The involuntary contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles that pushes food boluses through the esophagus and intestinal tract.

Bristol Stool Chart

A medical classification tool used to evaluate human feces shape and consistency, ranging from hard lumps to liquid consistency.

Diverticulosis

A condition characterized by the formation of small pouches in the colon wall where fecal matter can become trapped.

Diverticulitis

The inflammation or infection of pre-existing pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall, often associated with a low-fiber diet.

Ileostomy

A surgical bowel diversion created by bringing the ileum to the abdominal wall, completely bypassing the large intestine and discharging continuous liquid feces.

Colostomy

A surgical bowel diversion that brings a portion of the colon to an opening on the abdomen, producing liquid or solid waste depending on its anatomical location.

Flatulence

The accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal flatus) resulting from swallowed air, bacterial action, or blood diffusion.

Diarrhea

An increased frequency of bowel movements characterized by liquid, unformed stool, abdominal cramping, and fluid and electrolyte loss.

Constipation

A decreased frequency of stool passage relative to a person's normal routine, resulting in dry, hard stools that require straining to pass.

Fecal Impaction

An accumulation of hardened feces lodged in the rectum due to unrelieved constipation for greater than $3$\,days, often presenting with oozing liquid stool.

Hemorrhoids

Dilated or varicose veins in the anal canal caused by repeated straining during bowel movements.

Anal Fissure

An ulcerous crack or split in the anal mucosa that produces rectal bleeding and pain during defecation.

Fecal Incontinence

The involuntary expulsion of bowel contents, which can occur secondary to neurological injury, disorientation, severe diarrhea, or fecal impaction.

Stoma

An artificially created abdominal opening for bowel or urinary diversion that should normally appear bright and beefy red.

Paralytic Ileus

The temporary cessation of intestinal peristalsis, often occurring after abdominal surgery or bowel manipulation.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

A manual examination where a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to assess for stool impaction or masses, requiring prior heart rate assessment due to vagal nerve stimulation risks.

Nun's Cap

A container placed over a toilet rim used to measure liquid stool volume in milliliters ($mL$).

Fecal Occult Blood Test (Guaiac / Hemoccult)

A bedside screening test used to detect microscopic or invisible blood in the gastrointestinal tract, where a blue color development indicates a positive result.

Barium Swallow

A radiologic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract using radiopaque barium contrast, resulting in clay-colored stools post-procedure.

Barium Enema

A radiologic procedure using barium contrast instilled rectally to visualize the lower gastrointestinal tract, requiring post-procedure laxatives to prevent bowel impaction.

Sigmoidoscopy

An endoscopic diagnostic procedure using a flexible fiber-optic instrument to directly examine the interior of the rectum and sigmoid colon.

Colonoscopy

An endoscopic diagnostic examination of the entire colon from the rectum up to the ileocecal valve using a flexible fiber-optic scope.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

An endoscopic procedure that allows direct visualization of the mucosal lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Flexi-Seal Tube

A temporary fecal containment catheter placed rectally to divert liquid stool in bedbound patients experiencing severe diarrhea to protect skin integrity.

Oil-Retention Enema

An enema instilled into the rectum to lubricate the colon and soften hardened fecal matter prior to evacuation or manual removal.

Absence of Bowel Sounds

A diagnostic auscultatory finding documented only after listening continuously with a stethoscope for $5$\,minutes per abdominal quadrant without hearing bowel sounds.