Week 8 NCLEX Study Guide - Bowel & Urinary Elimination

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on critical bowel and urinary elimination concepts, nursing priorities, interventions, and complications from the NCLEX study guide.

Duodenum

The first portion of the small intestine where digestion begins.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients, including vitamin B12; damage to this area leads to a risk of B12 deficiency.

Large Intestine

The digestive organ that absorbs water and electrolytes and forms stool; dysfunction leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Fecal Occult Blood (Guaiac) Test

A diagnostic test used to detect hidden GI bleeding; a positive result indicates suspected GI bleeding and requires provider notification.

Digital Disimpaction

Manual removal of stool wedged in the rectum; must be avoided in patients with bleeding risks and monitored closely because it can stimulate the vagus nerve and cause bradycardia.

Valsalva Maneuver Complications

Adverse effects from straining during bowel elimination caused by vagus nerve stimulation, including bradycardia, hypotension, syncope, pallor, and unresponsiveness.

Colostomy

An ostomy formed from the large intestine that produces hardened stool because liquid has been absorbed.

Ileostomy

An ostomy formed from the small intestine that produces liquid stool and carries a high fluid loss and dehydration risk due to minimal absorption.

Urostomy

An ostomy created from the urinary tract (ileal conduit), commonly used for clients with bladder cancer or trauma.

Normal Stoma Appearance

A healthy stoma that appears red, round, and raised ("beefy red").

Pale or Dusky Stoma

An abnormal stoma clinical finding indicating ischemia, which represents a medical emergency.

Black Stoma

A severe stoma complication indicating tissue necrosis, requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider.

Nasogastric Tube (NGT)

A tube used for temporary enteral nutrition, medications, gastric decompression, or bowel rest; recommended for $\text{upper limit} \frac{\text{duration}}{1} \rightarrow \text{use} \thinspace \thinspace \text{for} \thinspace \thinspace \text{up} \thinspace \thinspace \text{to} \thinspace \thinspace 3\text{–}4 \thinspace \thinspace \text{weeks}$ due to mucosal injury risk.

Enteral Feeding Aspiration Protocol

Emergency intervention for aspiration during tube feeding: STOP the feeding immediately, position HOB $\text{at} \thinspace \thinspace \text{or} \thinspace \thinspace \text{above} \thinspace \thinspace 30^\bullet$, suction airway, administer $O_2$, monitor vital signs, auscultate breath sounds, notify MD, and obtain a CXR.

ADH (Vasopressin)

A hormone that causes anti-diuresis, vasoconstriction, and water retention, resulting in increased blood pressure.

RAAS System

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in which Renin produces Angiotensin I, which converts to Angiotensin II (a potent vasoconstrictor), triggering Aldosterone and ADH for $Na^+$ and water retention to increase blood pressure.

Urge to Void Threshold

The volume of urine in the bladder at which stretch receptors signal the urge to urinate, occurring at $250\text{–}450 \thinspace \text{mL}$.

Clean Catch Urine Specimen (C&S)

A urine collection technique involving cleaning the genitalia, capturing midstream flow in a sterile container; considered the best method for urine culture.

24-Hour Urine Collection

A timed urine collection test where the first void is discarded and all subsequent urine produced over 24 hours is collected and refrigerated.

Intermittent Catheter

A single-use urinary catheter that is inserted to drain urine and then immediately removed; preferred over indwelling catheters to reduce CAUTI risk.

Indwelling Catheter

A catheter designed for continuous bladder drainage carrying a high infection risk; requires a closed system, placing the collection bag below the bladder level, keeping the bag off the floor, and avoiding dependent loops.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary leakage of small amounts of urine caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure and weak pelvic floor muscles.

Functional Incontinence

Inability to reach the toilet in time due to environmental, physical, or cognitive barriers.

Urge Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine associated with a sudden, strong desire to void, often caused by an overactive bladder or UTI.

Overflow Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine caused by urinary retention, bladder distension, or an outlet obstruction such as an enlarged prostate.

Bladder Retraining

A behavioral program using timed, scheduled voiding with gradual increases in time intervals targeting a goal of $4 \thinspace \text{hour}$ intervals, paired with pelvic floor exercises.