Chapter 25
Yes! I found your Chapter 25: Assisting With Urinary and Bowel Elimination textbook. I’ll use the same approach as Chapter 29: short, numbered answers that are easier to memorize, while keeping the key CNA terminology and details you may see on your test.
Chapter 25 — Assisting With Urinary and Bowel Elimination
80 flashcards · Short answers with important test terminology
Elimination basics and equipment
1. What does the urinary system eliminate? — Waste and excess fluid as urine.
2. What does the digestive system eliminate? — Solid waste as feces.
3. What is a bedside commode? — A portable toilet chair beside the bed.
4. When is a bedpan used? — When a person cannot get out of bed to eliminate.
5. What is a fracture pan? — A shallow bedpan for people with injuries or limited movement.
6. What is a urinal used for? — Collecting urine when a person cannot reach the toilet.
7. Why should elimination assistance be provided promptly? — To prevent accidents, discomfort, and falls.
8. Why is privacy important during elimination? — It protects dignity and helps the person relax.
9. Why encourage fluids? — To support normal urine flow and soften stool, unless fluids are restricted.
10. Why wear gloves when handling urine or feces? — To protect against germs and body fluids.
Urine and urinary observations
11. What is urination? — Passing urine; also called voiding or micturition.
12. What is urinalysis? — Laboratory testing of urine.
13. What is a clean-catch urine specimen? — A sample collected midstream to reduce contamination.
14. What is hematuria? — Blood in the urine.
15. What does urinary frequency mean? — Urinating more often than usual.
16. What is urinary urgency? — A sudden, strong need to urinate.
17. What is nocturia? — Waking at night to urinate.
18. What is dysuria? — Painful or difficult urination.
19. What is oliguria? — Abnormally low urine output.
20. What is polyuria? — Abnormally high urine output.
21. What is diuresis? — Increased production of urine.
22. What is anuria? — Little or no urine production.
23. What urine changes should be reported? — Unusual color, cloudiness, odor, or amount.
24. Why measure and record urine output? — To monitor fluid balance and kidney function.
Urinary catheters
25. What is a urinary catheter? — A tube that drains urine from the bladder.
26. What is a straight catheter? — Inserted to drain urine, then removed.
27. What is an indwelling catheter? — A catheter left in the bladder for continuous drainage.
28. What is a Foley catheter? — An indwelling catheter held in place by a balloon.
29. What is a suprapubic catheter? — A catheter entering the bladder through the abdomen.
30. Why might a catheter be needed? — To drain urine when a person cannot urinate normally.
31. Why must catheter insertion use sterile technique? — To prevent bacteria from entering the bladder.
32. What is catheter care? — Cleaning the perineal area and exposed catheter tubing.
33. Where should the drainage bag be kept? — Below the bladder and off the floor.
34. Why must the drainage bag stay below the bladder? — To prevent urine from flowing backward and causing infection.
35. How should catheter tubing be positioned? — Secured with slack and free of kinks.
36. Why should the drainage system stay connected? — Disconnecting can introduce bacteria.
37. What catheter problems should be reported? — No urine flow, pain, leakage, redness, swelling, or unusual urine.
38. How often is catheter care performed? — Routinely and whenever soiled, following facility policy.
Urinary incontinence
39. What is urinary incontinence? — Involuntary loss of urine.
40. What is stress incontinence? — Urine leakage with coughing, sneezing, or exertion.
41. What is urge incontinence? — Urine leakage immediately after a strong urge.
42. What is functional incontinence? — Inability to reach the toilet in time.
43. What is overflow incontinence? — Leakage from an overly full bladder that cannot empty properly.
44. What is reflex incontinence? — Automatic urination caused by impaired nerve control.
45. What is urinary retention? — Inability to empty the bladder fully or at all.
46. How do incontinence pads and briefs help? — They absorb urine and protect clothing.
47. Why change wet briefs promptly? — To prevent skin irritation and breakdown.
48. What is a condom catheter? — An external sheath that drains urine into a bag.
49. What is a female external catheter? — A device that draws urine away from the body by suction.
50. What is bladder training? — Scheduled toileting to improve urinary control.
Bowel elimination
51. What is chyme? — Partially digested food mixed with fluid.
52. What is peristalsis? — Wave-like muscle contractions that move intestinal contents.
53. What are feces? — Solid waste eliminated through the rectum and anus.
54. What is flatus? — Gas passed from the intestines.
55. What is diarrhea? — Frequent, loose or watery stools.
56. What is constipation? — Difficult or infrequent passage of hard stool.
57. What is a laxative? — Medication that stimulates bowel movements.
58. How do stool softeners work? — They help retain moisture in stool.
59. How do fiber supplements help? — Add bulk and help stool retain fluid.
60. What is fecal impaction? — Hard stool stuck in the rectum.
61. What is flatulence? — Excess intestinal gas causing bloating or discomfort.
62. What is fecal incontinence? — Inability to control bowel movements.
63. What should be reported about stool? — Blood, unusual color, diarrhea, constipation, or major changes.
64. Why is hydration important for bowel elimination? — It helps keep stool soft and easier to pass.
Enemas and bowel care
65. What is an enema? — Fluid inserted into the rectum to help empty the bowel.
66. What is a cleansing enema? — A larger-volume enema that removes feces.
67. What is an oil-retention enema? — Oil that lubricates and softens stool.
68. What is a commercial enema? — A prepackaged, small-volume enema.
69. What position is used for an enema? — Left Sims’ position.
70. Why must enema temperature be checked? — Too cold causes cramping; too hot can injure tissue.
71. What does “until clear” mean for a cleansing enema? — The returned fluid contains no fecal material.
72. Who may administer an enema? — Usually a nurse; trained assistants only if facility policy permits.
Ostomies and key care
73. What is an ostomy? — A surgically created opening for waste to leave the body.
74. What is a stoma? — The opening created during ostomy surgery.
75. What is an ileostomy? — An opening from the small intestine.
76. What is a colostomy? — An opening from the large intestine.
77. Why is perineal care important? — It prevents irritation, odor, and infection.
78. What should you do if a person has trouble urinating? — Provide privacy and relaxation; report persistent difficulty.
79. What should you do if a person is embarrassed about elimination? — Protect privacy, show respect, and reassure them.
80. What is the main goal when assisting with elimination? — Promote normal elimination, safety, comfort, and dignity.
⭐ Highest-priority facts to memorize
Hematuria = blood in urine; dysuria = painful urination; nocturia = nighttime urination.
Oliguria = low urine output; polyuria = high output; anuria = little or no urine.
Straight catheter = inserted and removed; indwelling catheter = stays in place.
Drainage bag = below bladder, off floor; tubing = no kinks.
Stress = cough/sneeze; urge = sudden urge; functional = can’t reach toilet; overflow = bladder too full; reflex = nerve-control problem.
Peristalsis moves intestinal contents; constipation means difficult/hard stool; fecal impaction is stool stuck in the rectum.
Enema position = left Sims’ position.
Ileostomy = small intestine; colostomy = large intestine.
These are shortened for easier recall, but they’re not meant to replace your textbook completely. For test preparation, pay special attention to the medical terms, catheter safety, types of incontinence, and the differences between bowel problems.